SEOUL, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired off two unidentified projectiles towards the East Sea, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Thursday.

The JCS said in a statement that the projectiles were launched from the DPRK's western province of South Pyongan toward the eastern waters in the afternoon.

It noted that the South Korean military was closely monitoring relevant situations and maintaining defense posture in preparation for possible additional launches.

The latest projectile launch by the DPRK was conducted on Oct. 2 when South Korea saw it as a Pukkuksong-type of submarine-launched ballistic missile. The DPRK has test-fired short-range projectiles 12 times this year.