North Korea’s attempt to launch a sixth missile test ended in failure, as the weapon blew up before leaving the ground.
The launch was in direct defiance to warnings by the US, which said it would no longer tolerate any further missile tests.
The failure signifies a military setback for the secretive regime of North Korea in its race to develop effective inter-continental missiles, though military analysts are almost certain that the weapon tested yesterday was a short-range one.
The North Korean army paraded through the capital, Pyongyang, yesterday morning, to commemorate the “Day of the Sun”, the 105th birthday of Kim Il-Sung.
During the parade, analysts observed Pukkuksong-2 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBM) on display for the first time, raising concerns that North Korea may soon be able to field these weapons.