Seoul, South Korea CNN —A ballistic missile launched by North Korea on Monday might have had an “abnormal” flight trajectory and could have fallen inland, possibly near the capital of Pyongyang, the South Korean military said. North Korea launched two ballistic missiles on Monday morning, according to reports from the South Korean, American and Japanese governments. South Korea later said the North Korean claim was false. Meanwhile, both nations are drawing closer to their respective partners – with North Korea recently signing a defense agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin and South Korea stepping up cooperation with Japan and the United States. “Pyongyang is also determined not to appear weak while South Korea conducts defense exercises with Japan and the United States.”

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Persons: Lee Sung, ” Lee, Lee, Kim ramped, Vladimir Putin, Leif, Eric Easley, Kim, ” Organizations: South Korea CNN, North, South Korean, South Korea’s, Chiefs of Staff, Korean Central News Agency, Nations, Ewha Womans University, Central Committee, Worker’s Party, South Locations: Seoul, South Korea, North Korea, Pyongyang, South, South Hwanghae, Changyon, North Korea’s, Japan, United States