North Korea fired two short-range projectiles into the East Sea Monday for the third consecutive day, drawing sharp criticism from Seoul for increasing military tensions again on the peninsula.

The North’s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea, a propaganda agency, claimed the launches were part of its regular military drills.

Pyongyang fired one projectile between 11 a.m. and noon, and another between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Seoul’s Ministry of National Defense said.

The launch came after it fired three devices over the East Sea on Saturday and another on Sunday.

A military source said the type of weapons used remained unclear pending investigation, noting the projectile could be an upgraded version of its short-range KN-02 missile or a rocket from a long-range artillery piece.

“We are currently analyzing the type of projectile, and the North’s intentions. Pyongyang appears to intend to increase military tensions once again,” the source said on condition of anonymity.

All five projectiles apparently have ranges of shorter than 120 km, another military source said.

Cheong Wa Dae said it was closely watching North Korea’s military movements.

“Whether they are test launches or saber-rattling moves, the North should not do anything to raise tensions,” Kim Jang-soo, head of the presidential office of national security, was quoted by presidential spokesperson Kim Haing as saying.

Experts said Pyongyang might be seeking a turnaround through such saber-rattling moves amid deepening isolation with Seoul, Washington and even its ally China taking stern positions against its provocative behavior.

“The North may be doing some testing to enhance its missile capabilities, but the timing spawns suspicions over political motives behind the launches,” said Park Hyeong-jung, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification.

“Pyongyang appears to signal to neighboring states that it continues to bolster its military capabilities. It is apparently seeking to turn things around to their benefit through such moves.”

Meanwhile, Seoul’s Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae urged Pyongyang to stop its provocative moves and come forward to the negotiating table.

“North Korea should come forward and respond to our efforts to promote mutual development,” he said during a forum here on North Korean human rights.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)