File Photo: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
North Korea test-fired three anti-ship cruise missiles Saturday, following warnings from Pyongyang that it would fire on South Korean naval vessels it accuses of violating the disputed Yellow Sea border.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the three short-range KN-01 missiles were fired off the northeastern port of Wonsan, Yonhap news agency reported.
The first was fired at 4:25pm (0725 GMT) and the last about an hour later, the JCS said.
The North's Korean People's Army (KPA) had said Friday that it was prepared to fire on sight without warning at South Korean navy patrol boats crossing into its territorial waters.
The KPA said 17 boats had violated the border in the first week of May "under the pretext" of intercepting Chinese fishing boats.
The South Korean defence ministry flatly denied any incursions and said it would retaliate "sternly" to any provocation.