Seoul: North Korean missiles explode in the air due to failed tests

Seoul, South Korea (AP) — The North Korean missiles launched in the capital appeared to have failed on Wednesday and exploded into the air amid speculation that Pyongyang could soon launch the most important provocation, the most important provocation, according to South Korean troops.

At first, the details of the explosion were unknown; however, this year's tenth launch shows that North Korea is determined to modernize its arsenal and pressure its competitors to make concessions despite stagnant denuclearization negotiations.

North Korean missiles exploded at an altitude of about 20 km (12.4 miles), South Korean military officials said they requested anonymity because they could not speak publicly to the media about the matter. The cause of the explosion was unknown, he added.

The South Korean joint chief of staff said in a statement that the launch took place in the Pyongyang region around 9:30 in the morning, before an obvious failure occurred. He added that the US and South Korean intelligence authorities were reviewing the details of the launch.

The US Indo-Pacific Command later stated that North Korea had launched a ballistic missile, but did not disclose whether it failed to launch. The command's statement pointed out that the launch did not pose an immediate threat to US territory and allies, but urged North Korea to avoid further destabilizing gestures.

The United States and South Korean troops noted that Pyongyang tested the ICBM system on the two most recent launches, referring to the development of the Hwasong-17 missile announced by North Korea at a military parade in October 2020.

In the two most recent launches on February 27 and March 5, North Korean missiles traveled medium distances, and experts said Pyongyang could eventually conduct tests on long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles.

North Korea announced that it had tested cameras and other systems against spy satellites and propagated what it claimed to be a photograph taken from space during the test, but did not confirm the type of rocket or missile it launched.

According to experts, North Korea seeks to strengthen its ICBM capacity while trying to put its first spy satellite into orbit. North Korean President Kim Jong-un promised to improve ICBMs and spy satellites as part of a series of sophisticated weapons systems that claim to address what was defined by the hostility of the United States.

The Hwasong-17 is the largest missile in North Korea, capable of traveling up to 15,000 kilometers (9,320 miles), allowing it to hit anywhere in the United States.The 25-meter (82 ft) long projectile redeployed at a defense exhibition held in Pyongyang last year has not yet undergone a test launch.

North Korea has already demonstrated its ability to influence the American continent through test launches of other ICBMs, Huasong-14 and Hwasong-15 in 2017. Some analysts say the development of a larger projectile means that the country is trying to equip its long-range weapons with multiple warheads to overcome missile defense systems.

In recent months, North Korea has carried out a series of missile tests, which experts say is an attempt to modernize its arsenal and put pressure on the US government, as negotiations on nuclear disarmament continue to stop.