People watch a TV at Seoul Railway Station, Jan. 25, showing file images of a North Korean missile launch, during a news program. North Korea fired an unidentified projectile toward the East Sea, Thursday, South Korea's military said, in Pyongyang's sixth such launch this year. AP-Yonhap

North Korea launched an unidentified projectile toward the East Sea, Thursday, according to South Korea's military, in Pyongyang's sixth such test this year.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) announced the launch in a text message sent to reporters. It did not elaborate.

Pyongyang apparently test-fired at least two cruise missiles from an inland area Tuesday following four reported rounds of weapons tests, including hypersonic missile launches, Jan. 5 and 11.

The recent bouts of saber-rattling by the North comes as the United States has been stepping up sanctions pressure amid a protracted deadlock in its denuclearization negotiations with the recalcitrant regime. (Yonhap)