North and South Korea have fired a number of missiles into waters near each other's coasts in a marked escalation of hostilities.

North Korea has angered South Korea today with what has been described as “effectively a territorial invasion”.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un guided recent exercises by nuclear tactical operation units in response to large-scale navy drills by South Korean and U.S. forces, which have escalated regional tensions, KCNA state news agency said on Monday.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported on Saturday North Korea may be preparing to test a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), citing the South's military.

Just hours after North Korea test-fired two cruise missiles, the South repeated an offer to aid Pyongyang if it gave up a nuclear weapons program. Meanwhile, the US and South Korea prepare for a large military exercise.

The heir and de facto leader of the Samsung group received a presidential pardon Friday, continuing South Korea's long tradition of freeing business leaders convicted of corruption on economic grounds.

Yoon Suk-yeol wins the race to succeed Moon Jae-in in one of the country’s most contentious elections in recent memory