The South Korean Defence Ministry and the US Pacific Command are both saying that they have detected a failed missile launch test from North Korea, a day after a large-scale military parade in the capital of Pyongyang.
Reports indicate that there was an attempt made to fire a ballistic missile of unknown type at 7.21 AEST, but that it exploded shortly after launch.
South Korean authorities were the first to comment, saying that “North Korea attempted to test an unidentified type of missile from [its eastern port of] Sinpo,” and adding that the test had “failed.”
A statement from American authorities later confirmed this, saying:
“US Command detected and tracked what we assess was a North Korean missile launch at
11.21am Hawaii local time April 15. The launch of the ballistic missile occurred near Sinpo. The missile blew up almost immediately. The type of missile is still being assessed. US Pacific Command is fully committed to working closely with our allies in the Republic of Korea and in Japan to maintain security.”
Saturday marked the 105th anniversary of the birth of founding North Korean president Kim Il-sung, the grandfather of current leader Kim Jong-un.
A military display saw intercontinental ballistic missiles rolled through Pyongyang, and state officials promised to “beat down” the enemies of the country with “nuclear justice.”
With tensions running high in the region, top official Choe Ryong Hae told a crowd in Kim Il-sung Square:
“If the United States wages reckless provocation against us, our revolutionary power will instantly counter with annihilating strike, and we will respond to full out war with full out war and to nuclear war with our style of nuclear strike warfare.”
Source: BBC News.
Photo: The Washington Post / Getty.
