North Korea has tested over the weekend various new missiles as well as ships ahead of the American and South Korean joint military exercises.

The missiles and ships could signal a change in North Korean defense development, though their weapons are not innovative within the armed forces of the world.

North Korea conducted five missile tests on Sunday, reports the New York Times. The missiles were launched from a site near Wonsan and flew for about 125 miles, South Korean defense ministry sources said.

In recent months North Korea has been testing missiles with improved capabilities with the potential to hit South Korean and American bases across the 38th Parallel, the line dividing the South and North Korea.

North Korean state media reported on Saturday Feb. 7, Kim Jong-un had been present at the testing of a new anti-ship missile. Although the report did not provide any information on the missile's capabilities, it boasted to show North Korea's technological prowess and capabilities.

However, when North Korea released images of the test, it also revealed a new naval craft. Ars Technica reports North Korea shows a new ship believed to be a surface effect ship (SES). A SES is a hovercraft combined with a catamaran that combines two rigid hulls surround "a central air-cushion system." Both Norway and Russia employ SESs.

North Korea has revealed regular hovercrafts and small SESs previously but this new ship is larger and can carry four new anti-ship missiles, versions of Russia's Kh-35 Uran missile, which can change paths. The ship is also armed with four 30mm Gatling gun turrets, explained Ars Technica.

Yang Uk, senior researcher with the Korea Defense and Security Forum, told Stars and Stripes the recent tests show North Korea's new capabilities.

"That its missiles ranges are getting longer probably implies that the North might have USFK's Camp Pyeongtaek and Osan Air Base in its inland shooting range," he said, referring to the anti-ship missile test. "I think we're going to need to be more careful about it."

The South Korean government did not release a formal statement but did send statements to reporters.

"The Ministry of National Defense is trying to understand North Korea's intention or motive now," one message read. "Our military is ... keeping a close eye on the status of the North Korean military, while we beef up U.S.-South Korean combined surveillance readiness."

The joint U.S. and South Korean war games are set to begin in March.

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