SEOUL, March 3 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired several short-range projectiles into its eastern waters, Seoul's defense ministry said Thursday.

Defense Ministry spokesman Moon Sang-Kyun told a regular press briefing that DPRK forces fired several rounds of short-range projectiles at about 10 a.m. local time (0100GMT) from Wonsan area into the East Sea.

The spokesman said that whether the projectiles were short-range missiles or artillery shells hasn't been identified, adding that the military has been analyzing the launch.

Moon noted that the South Korean military maintained defense readiness while closely monitoring the moves of DPRK forces.