North Korea fires projectiles including ballistic missile into Yellow Sea, Seoul says

Pyongyang has conducted a flurry of missile tests in recent weeks and analysts have said the diplomatically isolated state may be trying to take advantage of eroding international norms to cement its nuclear status.

The North has also repeatedly shunned efforts by the South Korean government to improve relations, repeatedly calling Seoul its most "hostile" adversary.

Earlier this month, the North removed all references to reunification with the South from its constitution, underscoring Pyongyang's push for a more hostile policy towards Seoul.

In April, Pyongyang conducted another such test to "verify the characteristics and power of a cluster bomb warhead," its state media said at the time.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported last week, citing unnamed government sources, that Chinese President Xi Jinping would likely visit North Korea sometime this week.

China is North Korea's main economic and political backer, though Pyongyang has drawn closer to Russia in recent years, sending thousands of troops to help Russia push back a surprise Ukrainian incursion into the Kursk region.

Analysts say the North has received economic and military technology assistance from Russia in return for sending troops and ammunition to help its war effort.