Tensions are once again rising on the Korean Peninsula, with North Korea threatening to send propaganda leaflets to the South and putting its military on a more aggressive standing. Julian Ryall reports.

Authorities in Seoul have searched the office of Park Sang Hak, a North Korean refugee known for dropping anti-North Korea leaflets by balloon. He is being accused of provoking Pyongyang.

Pyongyang said that it had prepared various methods — including the use of 3,000 balloons — to deliver the leaflets "deep inside South Korea." Seoul said it would respond depending on the delivery equipment used.

North Korea has been ratcheting up tensions with the South in recent weeks and has threatened to deploy the military to the border region.

Australia's Prime minister Scott Morrison says his country is under a broad cyberattack from a "state-based actor" targeting government, public services and businesses, but declines to name the suspect(s) at this stage. China, Iran, Israel, North Korea, Russia, the United States and a number of European countries are known to have developed advanced cyberwarfare capabilities. But suspicions immediately fell on Beijing, which has clashed repeatedly with Canberra as it looks to increase the cost of Australia speaking out against Communist Party interests.

What's driving North Korea's aggression toward the South?

North Korea's military says it is preparing for action against the South, days after its leader's sister made threats against Seoul. Pyongyang has said it would convert a demilitarized zone "into a fortress."

As the coronavirus crisis rages worldwide, North Korea’s regime has reported zero cases, and instead forges ahead with rocket launches. What is happening behind the borders?

A boat without a crew but containing decomposing bodies, including two headless corpses, washed up in Japan. Officials said it was the first of its kind this year on the island of Sado, which faces North Korea.

US President Trump said that the US was "ready to deal with it" if North Korea launched a "Christmas gift" in the form of a missile, as was suggested this month. He added that maybe the gift would be a "beautiful vase."

North Korea held a shooting and archery contest for disabled persons and amateurs for the first time, state media reported on Sunday.

North Korea's launch comes three days after conducting military drills near the South Korean border. Japan has said the projectiles appear to be missiles.