US, S. Korea: DPRK missile test failed
- by Leah Brady
- in Worldwide
- — Oct 17, 2016
North Korea conducted six tests of its Musudan IRBM prior to Saturday's launch, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies Missile Defense Project.
The failed launch came on the day that the US and South Korea wrapped up their joint naval exercises that had started on Monday in all of the three seas around South Korea.
The intermediate-range Musudan missile is a single-stage missile with an estimated maximum range of approximately 2,500 miles, meaning that it could hit USA military installations in South Korea, Japan, and Guam. South Korea has also confirmed the botched trial saying the projectile exploded shortly after liftoff.
North Korea's ultimate goal has been to acquire nuclear strike capacity that can reach the U.S. mainland.
Under Kim Jong Un, who took power in 2011, the country has carried out its fourth and fifth nuclear tests this year. The first five launch attempts failed, before a successful launch was achieved on the sixth attempt in June.
Pyongyang also was provoked by recent remarks from Daniel Russel, the US assistant secretary of state, who suggested that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would die immediately if he decides to put the country's nuclear capability to use.
The missile was thought to be a mid-range weapon capable of hitting USA military bases in Japan or Guam in a move that comes as the worldwide community considers further sanctions on the isolated nation.
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Japan has expressed concern over the launches, and Defence Minister Tomomi Inada said yesterday that she wants to work in cooperation with the USA and South Korea to assure her country's security. This news story is related to Latest/157411-US-military-detects-failed-N-Korean-missile-launch-official/ - breaking news, latest news, pakistan ne.
The US military said the launch would not have posed a threat to North America.
Obama has vowed to work with the United Nations to tighten sanctions against North Korea, but has also said that the USA was still open to dialogue if the government changes course.
Japan has expressed concern over the launches, with defence minister Tomomi Inada saying that she wants to work in cooperation with the USA and South Korea to assure her country's security.
193 United Nations members states approved the ban on North Korean imports, with the exception of those that could be classified as "livelihood purposes" and not for funding military programs.
Officials are also to hold a briefing on the ongoing plans to deploy the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system in Seoul, which has sparked off disputes within and outside the country.
China and Russia have both opposed the THAAD deployment, arguing the system could be applied beyond deterring North Korea and affect Chinese and Russian interests in the region.