Seoul reports failed attempt by North Korea to launch missile
North Korea tried to carry out a new missile launch, which was unsuccessful, the news outlet AFR reported, citing the South Korean military.
“North Korea attempted to test an unidentified type of missile from the Sinpo area in the Hamkyong Province this morning, but we suspect the launch has failed,” the South Korean ministry of defense announced.
Later the American military reported that the missile exploded virtually at the start. Its type is still unknown.
"The missile blew up almost immediately," said David Benham, a spokesman with the US Pacific Command. "The type of missile is still being assessed."
The attempted missile launch was made the day after a military parade in North Korea, celebrating the 105th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il Sung, founder of the North Korean state and grandfather of the current leader Kim Jong-un. At the parade in Pyongyang, the North Korean army displayed Pukkuksong-2 submarine-launched ballistic missiles. The parade was attended by the head of state and high-ranking state officials.
Han Song Ryol, deputy head of the North Korean Foreign Ministry said that the policy of US President Donald Trump towards North Korea is “more vicious and more aggressive” than that of Barack Obama.