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| North Korea: US says it detected failed missile test | North Korea: US says it detected failed missile test |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| North Korea has conducted an unsuccessful test launch of an intermediate ballistic missile, the US military says. | North Korea has conducted an unsuccessful test launch of an intermediate ballistic missile, the US military says. |
| The Musudan missile has an estimated range of up to 4,000 km (2,500 miles), enough to hit South Korea, Japan and the US territory of Guam. | The Musudan missile has an estimated range of up to 4,000 km (2,500 miles), enough to hit South Korea, Japan and the US territory of Guam. |
| Pyongyang has not reacted to the news. | Pyongyang has not reacted to the news. |
| The country has made a number of missile-related tests this year, despite being banned by the UN from any use of ballistic or nuclear technology. | The country has made a number of missile-related tests this year, despite being banned by the UN from any use of ballistic or nuclear technology. |
| It comes amid concerns that the North may soon launch another long-range rocket or conduct a nuclear test. | It comes amid concerns that the North may soon launch another long-range rocket or conduct a nuclear test. |
| The test took place near the north-western city of Kusong at 03:33 GMT on Saturday, the Pentagon said in a statement. | The test took place near the north-western city of Kusong at 03:33 GMT on Saturday, the Pentagon said in a statement. |
| US Navy Commander Gary Ross said the missile launch "did not pose a threat to North America". | US Navy Commander Gary Ross said the missile launch "did not pose a threat to North America". |
| South Korea confirmed the failed launch, and said in a statement it strongly condemned the actions of its neighbour. | South Korea confirmed the failed launch, and said in a statement it strongly condemned the actions of its neighbour. |
| The Yonhap news agency reported the missile was believed to have exploded soon after its launch, without citing a source for the information. | |
| High tensions, by Stephan Evans, BBC News, Seoul | High tensions, by Stephan Evans, BBC News, Seoul |
| The Musudan is mobile, launched from the back of a trailer. North Korea has tested this type of missile at least six times this year. Most have failed but one has gone at least 1,000km (620 miles). | The Musudan is mobile, launched from the back of a trailer. North Korea has tested this type of missile at least six times this year. Most have failed but one has gone at least 1,000km (620 miles). |
| Tension is high at the moment because US and South Korean troops are exercising together. The biggest US aircraft carrier is currently docked in South Korea. | Tension is high at the moment because US and South Korean troops are exercising together. The biggest US aircraft carrier is currently docked in South Korea. |
| The South Korean media say the exercises involve practising the specific targeting of North Korea's nuclear facilities and leadership - what is called decapitating the regime - with so-called bunker-busting bombs. | The South Korean media say the exercises involve practising the specific targeting of North Korea's nuclear facilities and leadership - what is called decapitating the regime - with so-called bunker-busting bombs. |
| The US military denies that. | The US military denies that. |
| Pyongyang insists its space programme is for peaceful purposes. | Pyongyang insists its space programme is for peaceful purposes. |
| But the US, South Korea and even China, the country's main ally, say the recent rocket launches are aimed at developing inter-continental ballistic missiles. | But the US, South Korea and even China, the country's main ally, say the recent rocket launches are aimed at developing inter-continental ballistic missiles. |
| North Korea regularly makes claims about the progress of its nuclear and missile programmes, but analysts say most of them are impossible to independently verify. | North Korea regularly makes claims about the progress of its nuclear and missile programmes, but analysts say most of them are impossible to independently verify. |
| North Korea's recent tests | North Korea's recent tests |
| North Korea nuclear tests: what did they achieve? | North Korea nuclear tests: what did they achieve? |
| How advanced is North Korea's nuclear programme? | How advanced is North Korea's nuclear programme? |