This photo taken on Feb. 13, 2017, shows people in Pyongyang watching a public broadcast about the launch of a surface-to-surface medium long-range ballistic missile Pukguksong-2 at an undisclosed location on February 12. The UN Security Council on Feb. 13 unanimously condemned North Korea’s latest ballistic missile test as US President Donald Trump vowed to deliver a strong response to the provocation. AFP
SEOUL, South Korea — A new North Korean missile test failed on Sunday, the South’s defense ministry said.
“North Korea attempted to test an unidentified type of missile from Sinpo area in the South Hamkyong Province this morning, but we suspect the launch has failed,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said it was analyzing the test for further details.
READ: North Korea’s Kim stages giant show of military strength
The US Defense Department confirmed on Saturday that North Korea appeared to have fired a missile, and said the launch failed “almost immediately.”
“US Pacific Command detected and tracked what we assess was a North Korean missile launch at 11:21 am Hawaii time (2121 GMT) April 15,” said Dave Benham, a spokesman with the US Pacific command.
“The launch of the ballistic missile occurred near Sinpo. The missile blew up almost immediately,” Benham said.
The failed launch came a day after North Korea showcased nearly 60 missiles — including what is suspected to be a new intercontinental ballistic missile — at a giant military parade to mark the 105th birthday of its founder Kim Il-Sung.
Pyongyang’s rogue atomic ambitions have come into sharp focus in recent weeks, with United States President Donald Trump vowing a tough stance against the North and threatening unilateral action if China failed to help curb its neighbour’s nuclear programme.
READ: China seeks Russia’s help to ‘cool’ North Korea situation
As hostilities in the region surge Trump has sent an aircraft carrier-led strike group to the Korean peninsula to press his point, while the North has launched a flurry of rockets.
Pyongyang has so far staged five nuclear tests, two of them last year, and analysis of satellite imagery suggests it could be preparing for a sixth.
Intelligence officials have warned it could be less than two years away from achieving the ability to strike the continental United States. CBB