The United States confirmed Thursday that North Korea launched two ballistic missiles and urged the communist nation to refrain from raising tensions.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the North fired two Rodong missiles, with one of them landing in the East Sea and the other blowing up in flight. It was believed to be the first time in about two years that the North has launched the medium-range missile.

The launches, banned under U.N. Security Council resolutions, represented the latest show of force against the ongoing joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States.

"We are aware that the DPRK launched two ballistic missiles today. We closely monitor North Korean military activities and the situation on the Korean Peninsula," Pentagon spokesman Cmdr. Bill Urban told Yonhap News Agency.

"Launches using ballistic missile technology are a clear violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions. We call on North Korea to refrain from actions that further raise tensions in the region and focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its international commitments and obligations," he said.

Urban also said that U.S. troops remain vigilant in the face of North Korean provocations and will continue to work closely with and in defense of allies to maintain security in the region.

Earlier, State Department spokesman John Kirby issued a similar statement.

"The United States remains steadfast in its commitments to the defense of its allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan.

We will continue to coordinate closely with our allies and partners in the region," the spokesman said. (Yonhap)