North Korea on Thursday tried and failed in what appeared to be its second attempt in two weeks to test a powerful, new medium-range ballistic missile, South Korea’s defence ministry said.
A ministry official said the North had fired what was believed to be a Musudan missile at around 6:40 am from Wonsan on the east coast, but it plunged back to earth seconds after launch.
“It is believed to have failed,” the official told AFP.
There had been widespread intelligence reports in recent days that the North was preparing for another flight test of its Musudan missile, which is believed to be capable of striking US bases on the Pacific island of Guam.