North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has appeared in North Korean state media again, helping test fire a new, large-caliber multiple rocket launcher.

The pictures of the test come on the heels of another launch of short-range missiles by Pyongyang on Monday.

Monday's missile launches off the country's east coast come just days after a pair of ballistic missiles were launched by North Korea on Friday morning.

The test firing comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula, as South Korea and the United States continue their annual joint military drills.

This year's drills follow moves by the UN Security Council to hit Pyongyang with new sanctions following its latest nuclear test and satellite launch earlier this year.