North Korea launched ballistic missiles off its east coast into the Sea of Japan on Thursday, according to South Korea's defence ministry.

Seoul said approximately a dozen short-range ballistic missiles were fired during the launch, marking a further escalation in tensions between the two countries.

The missile tests come despite South Korea's recent offer of military talks. Pyongyang has stepped up its weapons testing activity in recent weeks, according to reports.

No further details on the trajectory or landing zones of the missiles were immediately available.