SEOUL (AFP) - North Korea test-fired five short-range missiles into the sea off its east coast Sunday, a day after its announced launch of a new rocket raised tensions.

The country fired the missiles into the East Sea from its eastern city of Wonsan between 4:20-5:10 pm local time, a defence ministry spokesman told AFP.

They flew about 200 km before landing.

"We are closely watching for any signs of additional missile launches by the North," said an official with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, quoted by Yonhap news agency.

On Saturday the North said it had test-fired an "ultra-precision" anti-ship rocket to be deployed across its navy under the guidance of leader Kim Jong Un.

The nuclear-armed communist country has pushed ahead with the development of ballistic missiles and rockets, despite tough sanctions imposed by the international community.