North Korea missile launch

North Korea missile launch 'fails'

"South Korea and the United States are aware of the North Korean missile launch and suspect it was a failure," said a spokesman for Seoul's military.

It is not clear how many missiles were fired or what type was being tested.

North Korea has conducted missile tests with increasing frequency and experts say this is likely to lead to advances in its missile technology.

Earlier this month, the North fired four missiles that flew about 1,000km (620 miles) landing in Japanese waters.

North Korea is banned from any missile or nuclear tests by the United Nations.

North Korea missile launch fails, says US and South Korea

The US Strategic command said it detected the missile, which may have been a Musudan intermediate-range projectile, at 6:00 p.m. ET Wednesday, or around 6:30 a.m. Pyongyang time Thursday.

The South Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement the launch took place near Banghyon Airport in Kusong City.

"Our military strongly condemns North Korea for continuously conducting illegal provocative acts and are thoroughly prepared for any possibility of additional provocation," the statement said.