North Korea launched three ballistic missiles Saturday morning, according to Japan’s defense ministry, as leader Kim Jong Un and top officials are expected to conclude an important end-of-year party meeting later the same day.

The ministry said the first missile was launched around 8:01 a.m. KST and fell into the Sea of Japan (East Sea) before 8:11 a.m. The second and third missiles were then reportedly launched at 8:14 and 8:15 a.m. and fell into the sea before 8:24 a.m.