North Korea, strangely quiet as of late in terms of threatening to destroy other countries, launched three short-range missiles today into the sea. Its intent was unclear.

South Korea confirmed the missile launch, which were not in their direction, but rather towards the east. South Korea does believe that North Korea is working on its short-range missile capabilities, for possible further attacks on them and Japan.

North Korea had backed away from its April terror threats, where it laid out sketchy plans to bomb Washington D.C., and Austin, Texas, in a bid to get more aid from both the United States and China.

This new missile test comes after a series of diplomatic talks had helped stabilize relations with the secretive nation.

"We continue to urge the North Korean leadership to heed President Obama's call to choose the path of peace and come into compliance with its international obligations," National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden told reporters.

Still, launching short-range missiles into the middle of the sea isn't the easiest way to put your neighbors at ease. The launch could have also been part of the introduction of a new defense minister, Jang Jong Nam, who was little-known before he was named to replace the hard-liner (as if there is any other kind of North Korean army official) Kim Kyok Sik. Not much is known about Jang, although the missile test might have been to show that he's serious about a possible attack on South Korea.