LOC09:12
06:12 GMT
TOKYO, May 31 (KUNA) -- North Korea launched a Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missile on Tuesday but the launch ended in failure, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, according to Yonhap News Agency.
"North Korea attempted to launch an unidentified missile from Wonsan at around 5:20 am (2020 Monday GMT), but it is presumed to have been unsuccessful," the JCS was quoted as saying in a brief text message.
The military is studying the details of the launch and is maintaining a high level of combat preparedness, the JCS said. JCS spokesman Jeon Ha-kyu said in a press briefing in Seoul that North Korea seems to be pushing for a continued string of ballistic missile launches following leader Kim Jong-un's orders for such tests to be carried out on March 15.
"The military is keeping open the possibility that the North will conduct additional provocations," he said. The latest launch marks Pyongyang's fourth failed attempt to launch its Musudan mid-range ballistic missiles in two months. On April 15, North Korea launched its first Musudan missile as the country was gearing up for a high-profile ruling party congress in early May. But the launch ended in failure. This was followed by Pyongyang firing off two more of the same intermediate-range ballistic missiles in a single day on April 28, although both of these launches also failed.
North Korea has deployed about 50 Musudan missiles with its forces since 2007, but none of them had been test-fired until this year. (end)
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