North Korea fired ballistic missiles into the sea from its east coast on Sunday, marking its fourth launch this month and seventh this year. The missiles traveled about 140 kilometers before landing near the eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula, according to South Korean and Japanese authorities. South Korea called an emergency security meeting and condemned the launches as a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Analysts say the launches are intended to showcase North Korea’s self defense capabilities and strengthen its leverage ahead of possible talks with the United States and South Korea. The tests come amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran and Israel, which experts believe could further motivate Pyongyang to expand its nuclear ambitions.

The launches occurred as leaders in Washington and Seoul have expressed interest in dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, though no meetings have been confirmed. North Korea has recently declared its nuclear status irreversible, while the International Atomic Energy Agency has warned that the country is making serious advances in nuclear weapons production, possibly including a new uranium enrichment facility.