South Korea: North Korea Missile Launch Probably Failed

Yet another launch failure.

5.31.2016

The South Korean military is reporting that Tuesday's missile launch from North Korea likely failed. The launch was just another in the series of high-profile missile launches that have yet to be successful from North Korea:

South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported that the missile was a powerful mid-range Musudan. If true, that would make it the fourth failed attempt by the North to conduct a successful test launch of the new missile, which could potentially reach far-away U.S. military bases in Asia and the Pacific.

Yonhap, citing an unidentified government source, said the missile exploded at a mobile launch pad as soon as a launch button was pressed. The report, if confirmed, suggests the missile may have even failed to lift off. Yonhap did not say how its source obtained the information.

This recent launch follows Seoul's rejection of Pyongyang's interest in holding "talks." The missile launch is believed to be an attempt to win some concessions from South Korea.

South Korean officials believe the missile launches follow an order from the country's leader Kim Jong Un in March to conduct tests of a nuclear warhead and ballistic missiles capable of carrying such warheads. That order was thought to be part of Pyongyang's reaction to annual South Korea-U.S. military drills that it sees as an invasion rehearsal.

The Musudan missile has a potential range of around 2,180 miles, which would allow them to reach U.S. bases in Guam. South Korea does not believe the North Korea has the ability to reach the United States mainland.