UPDATE - North Korea launches rockets after joint drills by US, Japan, South Korea: Report

UPDATES WITH NORTH KOREA REPORTEDLY DISMANTALING HOTEL BUILT BY SOUTH FOR INTER-KOREAN FAMILY REUNIONS; REVISES HEADLINE, LEDE, ADDS BACKGROUND

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - North Korea on Thursday launched 10 rockets from near Pyongyang just a day after South Korea, the US, and Japan held joint air drills on the Korean Peninsula, the Seoul-based Yonhap news agency reported.

The rockets were launched from multiple rocket launchers from the Sunan area on the edge of North Korea’s capital.

This marks the first rocket launch since South Korean President Lee Jae Myung was elected into office earlier this month.

South Korea, the US, and Japan held joint air drills on Wednesday, amid renewed efforts by Seoul to restore ties with North Korea.

North Korea's rocket launches as well as South Korea's air drill comes after Lee vowed to “stop the exhausting hostilities” with North Korea and revive inter-Korean dialogue.

Earlier this month, Lee said that his administration would “make every effort to promote peace, coexistence, and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.”

Seoul has suspended its loudspeaker broadcasts along the border with North Korea after Lee took office, which was reportedly reciprocated by North by also silencing its own loudspeakers as well.

Despite Lee's promises for warmer relations, North Korea is reportedly dismantling a 12-story hotel on its east coast which is owned by South Korea and was built for inter-Korean family reunions by the South Korean government, NK News, a US-based website that provides news and analysis on North Korea, reported on Thursday.

Satellite images show that the Inter-Korean Family Reunions Center in Kumgang started to be dismantled between May 26 and 30.