South Korea News Reports North Korea Missile Tests, Protesting U.S.- DPK Launch Exercises; China Warns Of Air Defense Missiles

North Korean reportedly launched five short range missiles into the Sea of Japan, according to South Korean news reports. The act comes on the heels of North Korean threats to the U.S. and warnings to South Korean defense missile systems from the Chinese.

North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un was present during the test firing, and it is reportedly a demonstration of North Korea's improving missile systems.

The cutting edge missile tests were new anti-ship cruise missiles with some experts pointing out that they look similar to Russian missiles. It could be possible that the North Koreans have reworked the upper part of a Russian missile to develop the short range missiles, reports said.

North Korea's state-run KCNA news agency said that the purpose of the new missiles is for North Korea to defend its waters, and "strongly react to any attempt of the enemy's fleets of warships for military attack, through close combat or distant combat."

"PRC Defense Minister Chang Wanquan is reported to have raised objections with South Korean counterparts to the potential deployment of a THAAD (Theater High-Altitude Area Defense) battery to South Korean territory," Forbes.com reported.

The DPRK reportedly test fired 19 missiles last year, which is a significant increase from missiles test fired in 2013. The recent February testing of missiles is seen as a threat against the U.S. and a protest against the U.S.-South Korea combined exercises to increasing the ROK's launch capabilities, said South Korea's Ministry of National Defense.

China's interference in South Korea's military ventures is also a sign that the Chinese government interprets the U.S.-South Korea joint exercises as a threat to the mainland.