A South Korean official says North Korea test-fired several short-range missiles Monday off the east coast of the communist state.

The official says North Korea warned vessels to avoid its east coast from October 10 to the 20, an indication that it was planning missile launches. No other details of the missile test were available.

North Korea has carried out several short-range missile tests in recent years off its east and west coasts. South Korean officials have interpreted them as routine military exercises.

Earlier, South Korea proposed holding talks with North Korea on Wednesday on preventing flooding from a cross-border river.

North Korea released a massive amount of water from a dam on the Imjin river last month, killing six South Koreans camping and fishing downstream.

Pyongyang said a sudden surge in the dam's water level required an emergency release. Seoul said there were signs the water release was meant as a deliberate attack.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.