(LEAD) U.S. Pacific Command identifies N.K. projectile as KN-15 medium-range ballistic missile

(ATTN: UPDATE with Secretary Tillerson's comment in last 2 paras)

WASHINGTON, April 4 (Yonhap) -- The ballistic missile North Korea recently fired is believed to be "a KN-15 medium range ballistic missile," the U.S. military said Tuesday.

"The U.S. Pacific Command detected and tracked what we assess was a North Korean missile launch" at 6:42 Korea time, Cdr. Dave Benham, a spokesman for the command, said in a statement. "The launch of a single ballistic missile occurred at a land-based facility near Sinpo."

The missile was tracked until it landed in the East Sea at 6:51 a.m., he said.

"Initial assessments indicate the type of missile was a KN-15 medium range ballistic missile," the spokesman said. "U.S. Pacific Command is fully committed to working closely with our Republic of Korea and Japanese allies to maintain security."

In Seoul, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Command said that the missile flew about 60 kilometers.

The latest missile launch came ahead of summit talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping later this week.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson issued an unusually blunt statement expressing displeasure.

"North Korea launched yet another intermediate range ballistic missile. The United States has spoken enough about North Korea. We have no further comment," he said in the statement.

jschang@yna.co.kr
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