U.S.: North Korean test missile explodes on launch

launch. The president has no further comment.” SEOUL, South Korea — A Washington and Seoul North Korean missile exploded will try hard to figure out during launch Sunday, what exactly North Korea U.S. and South Korean fired. This matters because officials said, a high-profile while North Korea regularly failure that comes as a launches short-range powerful U.S. aircraft supercarrier missiles, it is also developing approaches the mid-range and longrange Korean Peninsula in a show missiles meant to of force. target U.S. troops in Asia

It wasn’t immediately and, eventually, the U.S. clear what kind of missile mainland. was test-fired from the east The ultimate goal is to coast city of Sinpo. But the have a full array of nucleartipped failure will sting in Pyongyang missiles. because it comes a day after one of the biggest North Korean propaganda events of the year— celebrations of the 105th birthday of late North Korea founder Kim Il Sung, the current leader’s grandfather.

The North’s test firing can be seen as a message of defiance to the Trump administration in Washington, coming as it does on the day U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is set to arrive in Seoul for talks on North Korea.

President Donald Trump was uncharacteristically quiet about the failed launch. In a statement, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Trump and his military team “are aware of North Korea’s most recent unsuccessful missile