US Vice-President Kamala Harris has visited the demilitarized zone that divides both Koreas, a day after the North fired two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast.

The launch, which breaches UN sanctions, comes as the US and South Korea hold joint naval drills in the waters around the Korean peninsula.

The US official also met South Korea’s leader Yoon Suk-yeol shortly after her arrival in the capital Seoul.

Both condemned Pyongyang’s actions.

The vice-president also underscored that the United States is committed to defending South Korea and welcomed their close co-operation.