The presidential National Security Council expressed strong regret Thursday over North Korea's latest missile launches.

In a statement, NSC stressed that Pyongyang's repeated missile tests "are contrary to the request of Korea and the international community for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region."

It also urged the North to swiftly respond to efforts to resolve issues through dialogue.

North Korea fired two apparent short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Thursday, marking its sixth such launch this year.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the launches from in and around Hamhung, a city on North Korea's east coast, at around 8 a.m.

The projectiles flew about 190 kilometers at a top altitude of 20 kilometers, according to the JCS.