North Korea’s missile test fails as projectile explodes during launch: US, S Korea

North Korea’s latest missile test has failed with the projectile exploding almost immediately after the launch, says South Korea and the US.

Afghan Voice Agency(AVA), “The communist state attempted to launch an unidentified missile from the port city of Sinpo on its east coast in the morning and the launch is presumed to have failed,” said a statement released by the South’s military early on Sunday.

The US military also confirmed the failed test, noting that it “blew up almost immediately.”

“US Pacific Command detected and tracked what we assess was a North Korean missile launch at 11:21 a.m. Hawaii time April 15. The launch of the ballistic missile occurred near Sinpo," said US Pacific Command spokesman Commander David Benham. “The type of missile is still being assessed,” he added.

South Korean officials have said that the tested missile seems to be similar to what Pyongyang tested earlier in the month. On April 5, the North launched what is thought to be a KN-15 medium-range ballistic missile which fell into the Sea of Japan after flying for 60 kilometers.

The latest test happened just a few hours before US Vice-President Mike Pence's scheduled visit to Seoul and just one day after Pyongyang showcased its submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) for the first time during a massive military parade.