North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles towards the sea just a few hours before the US presidential election in an apparent show of power amid concerns over Pyongyang sends thousands of troops lead the Russian war in Europe.

Pyongyang fired at least seven missiles off its east coast, neighbors say as North Korean leader Kim Jong Unthe sister of condemned joint military exercises involving THE WE, Japan and South Korea.

The missiles flew at an altitude of 100 km and covered a range of 400 km before falling outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone into the ocean, according to Japanese Defense Minister General Nakatani. South Korea said the missiles were fired around 7 a.m. local time on Tuesday from near Sariwon in North Hwanghae Province.

The U.S. military said it was monitoring the situation and consulting closely with its allies Japan and South Korea.

Kim Yo-jong, Mr. Kim’s powerful sister, said military exercises by the United States and its allies justified North Korea’s nuclear buildup, state media KCNA reported. Ms Kim criticized “more than 20” military exercises carried out by the United States and its allies this year.

The launch comes just days after Pyongyang test launched its largest intercontinental missile which flew at a record distance and with the ability to reach the American continent. The launch of the Hwasong-19 drew harsh condemnation from the UN, Washington and its allies, fearing that Pyongyang would receive missile technology as a reward for sending its troops to Russia.

South Korean officials have said the North is likely to step up its military displays ahead of the U.S. presidential election to attract Washington’s attention. South Korea’s intelligence agency warned last week that Pyongyang had likely completed preparations for its seventh nuclear test.

North Korea’s envoy to the UN said the Hermit Kingdom would accelerate the development of its nuclear weapons program to “counter any threats posed by hostile nuclear-weapon states.”

THE The North was sanctioned by the UN Security Council in 2006 and measures were gradually strengthened to halt the development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said North Korea’s recent tests have political significance because of what they say about the Kim regime’s lack of restraint. “Pyongyang shows that its contribution of weapons and troops to Russia’s war in Ukraine does not restrict its military activities closer to its territory.”

He added: “On the contrary, cooperation with Moscow appears to enable blatant violations of UN Security Council resolutions.”

It is widely accepted that North Korea hopes to eventually use an extensive nuclear arsenal as leverage to secure concessions such as sanctions relief after the election of a new US president.

There is a widespread view that Mr. Kim would prefer a victory for the Republican candidate. Donald Trumpwith whom he engaged in high-stakes nuclear diplomacy in 2018-19, viewing him as a counterpart more likely to give him what he wants than the Democratic nominee. Kamala Harris.

During the campaign, Ms. Harris said she would not “get close to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong Un who support Trump.”

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters that until 10,000 North Korean troops were in Russia’s Kursk region near the Ukrainian border and are preparing to join Moscow’s fight against Ukraine in the coming days.

If they engage in combat, it would be North Korea’s first participation in a large-scale conflict since the end of the Korean War (1950-1953).