Seoul, (AFP) - North Korea fired two cruise missiles on Wednesday, Seoul's defense ministry said, marking its first weapons test in weeks.

"Early this morning, we discovered that North Korea fired two cruise missiles into the West Sea from Unchon in South Pyongan Province," a ministry official told AFP.

"The US and South Korean military authorities are analyzing detailed specifications such as the flight distance," he added.

North Korea has not tested a cruise missile, which is not banned under UN sanctions on the country, since January, Yonhap news agency reported.

The last time Pyongyang conducted a weapons test was on July 10, when it launched what appeared to be multiple rocket launchers.

North Korea has conducted a series of tests in violation of international sanctions since January, including the first launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile since 2017.

Officials in Washington and Seoul have also warned that the isolated regime is preparing to conduct its seventh nuclear test.

Earlier this week, the military forces of South Korea and the United States launched preliminary drills ahead of the start of their annual joint Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise.

Such maneuvers anger Pyongyang, which considers them an exercise in conquest.