N. Korea fires ballistic missile from a sub, South says

Projectile reportedly fizzles after only a few minutes

North Korea fired what appeared to be a ballistic missile from a submarine toward the East Sea on Saturday, but the projectile sputtered and fell into the ocean after only a few minutes, the South’s Yonhap News Agency reported, quoting the South Korean military.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea fired the missile about 6:30 p.m. local time, according to the Yonhap news agency, and that it flew for about 18 miles, well short of the minimum range of 180 miles for a submarine-launched ballistic missile.

A South Korean government source said the missile’s engine ignited after it was fired from a 2,000-ton Sinpo-class submarine, Yonhap reported.

The development comes amid reports in South Korean media that Pyongyang could be preparing for a nuclear test or the launch of another ballistic missile to mark the sixth anniversary of the Korean People’s Army on Monday.

Two weeks ago, the North failed in its launch of a Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missile from a mobile launcher to celebrate the birthday of Kim Il Sung, the country’s founder and grandfather of current leader Kim Jong Un.

The South Korean newspaper Donga Ilbo quotes unidentified South Korean military sources as saying North Korea appears to have completed all preparations for its fifth nuclear test.

The most recent test took place in January and prompted strong sanctions against North Korea.

A top U.S. diplomat for the Asia-Pacific region said last week that a fifth test could prompt even harsher sanctions, including severely cutting off its access to hard currency.