North Korea on Saturday fired two short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, Yonhap news agency reported, citing South Korea's military. The launch originated from North Pyongan province, the agency said, citing the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff. Earlier this month, the nuclear-armed North carried out similar launches on two occasions -- Japan said those projectiles also appeared to be ballistic missiles. The latest launch comes as a prolonged hiatus in disarmament talks with the United States drags on. bur-sst/acb