US and South Korea say North Korea's missile launch failed

North Korea launched a missile today near Sinpo on its east coast but is believed to have failed, the South Korean and US militaries said.

North Korea's missile is said to have exploded immediately after launch. Illustration photo: AP

"North Korea launched an unidentified missile from near Sinpo this morning but it is suspected to have failed," South Korea's Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

The missile was launched from the eastern port of Sinpo, a North Korean submarine base, the US Pacific Command said. "The missile exploded almost immediately."Dave Benham,"This is a spokesman for this agency," said the spokesman.

North Korea launched a ballistic missile from the same area earlier this month, just ahead of a summit between US and Chinese leaders to discuss North Korea's weapons program.

Location of Sinpo area, North Korea (red mark). Graphics: Googlemaps

According to VNE