North Korea launches missile but attempt ends in failure

North Korea’s attempt to launch a missile on its east coast has apparently failed, United States and South Korean defence officials said.

The attempted launch occurred a day after the regime of Kim Jong Un showed off a bevy of new missiles and launchers at a large-scale military parade on its most important holiday.

CNN quoted a South Korean defence official as saying that the missile launch was carried out from North Korea’s Sinpo region in South Hamgyong Province.

Earlier, a ballistic missile was also test fired by North Korea from the same site.

South Korean and US intelligence officials are trying to determine the type of missile used by North Korea for this launch.

US Pacific Command said it tracked a missile launch which blew up almost immediately.

South Korea described the launch as a “threat to the entire world” and warned that it would respond to any further provocations.

A spokesman for the United Kingdom Foreign Office said: “We are concerned by reports of a missile test by North Korea and are monitoring the situation closely.”

The Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson urged North Korea to abide by UN resolutions and end its quest to develop nuclear weapons. “We have been here before but continue to monitor the situation carefully,” Johnson said in a statement.

“We stand alongside our international partners in making clear that North Korea must adhere to UN resolutions designed to secure peace and stability in the region and stop its pursuit of nuclear weapons.”

-- With inputs from Agencies