North Korea's Latest Missile Launch Fails

The missile fired by North Korea on Wednesday exploded 'within seconds of the launch', US and North Korea's defense forces said after detecting the recent one in a series of weapons tests by the isolated country.

"North Korea had attempted to launch a missile near Kalma, on the country's east coast, but early reports suggest it failed," the US Pacific command officials were quoted as saying by CNN Wednesday.

USA and South Korea are aware of the missile launch but to their knowledge North Korea’s missile launch was unsuccessful, S.Korea's Ministry of Defense said.

However, neither of the countries has disclosed information about the type of missile fired. The US Pacific Command said it was working with partners to assess it further.

China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying again called on all parties on the Korean Peninsula, including South Korea and the United States, to "exercise restraint."

"The current situation on the peninsula is extremely tense 'everyone with his dagger drawn' would be a fair description," she said.

The launch attempts follows four days after the North Korea announced it had tested a new rocket engine, calling it as a "great leap forward" in their missile program. US defense officials said, the engine could be used for a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile.

In the background of the launch, South Korea and the US carried on their annual "Foal Eagle" military exercises, which often provoke North Koreans. The exercises started on March 1 and will end on April 30.