(2nd LD) N. Korea seems to have failed in suspected ballistic missile launch: S. Korean military
(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with more details, U.S. military's response; RECASTS headline, lead; TRIMS)
By Song Sang-ho and Kang Yoon-seung
SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- North Korea fired an apparent ballistic missile Wednesday, but the launch appears to have ended in a failure, South Korea's military said.
The North shot the projectile from the Sunan area in Pyongyang at around 9:30 a.m., according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). It did not elaborate further, only saying an additional analysis is needed.
The missile appears to have exploded in midair at an altitude of below 20 kilometers, informed sources said later.
Military authorities are putting weight to the possibility the latest launch involved the same intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that the North tested on Feb. 27 and March 5.
Last week, Seoul and Washington criticized the past two launches as new ICBM system tests ahead of a full-range launch, dismissing the North's claim that they were meant to develop a "reconnaissance satellite."
"At this point, our assessment is that the projectile launch appears to have been botched as it failed to reach a certain altitude in its early boost phase," a JCS official told reporters on condition of anonymity.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command condemned the latest launch and called on the North to refrain from further "destabilizing" actions.
"The United States will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the U.S. homeland and our allies," the command said in a press release. "The U.S. commitment to the defense of the ROK and Japan remains ironclad." ROK stands for South Korea's official name, Republic of Korea.

In this file photo, a news report on North Korea's launch of a ballistic missile is aired on a television at Seoul Station on Feb. 27, 2022. (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
colin@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
(URGENT) S. Korea's science minister confirms space rocket Nuri's launch success
-
Three indicted in massive stock manipulation case
-
(3rd LD) Passenger opens door of Asiana Airlines plane before landing at Daegu airport
-
BTS' J-Hope completes basic training for military service
-
(6th LD) S. Korea successfully launches space rocket Nuri in major milestone for space program
-
N. Korea's aircraft maintenance activity at 'unusual' level: 38 North
-
(LEAD) Asiana Airlines plane's door opens right before landing at Daegu Airport
-
S. Korea to send delegation to Europe for talks on stronger economic, biz ties
-
(2nd LD) S. Korean experts to inspect radioactive water storage tanks, purification system at Fukushima plant
-
(2nd LD) S. Korean experts begin on-site inspection of Fukushima nuclear plant
-
Man who opened plane door says he wanted to get off quickly: police
-
U.S. military stages 'Elephant Walk' training with F-16 fighters
-
(2nd LD) Arrest warrant issued for man who opened plane door mid-air
-
(LEAD) S. Korea steps up diplomatic efforts to win U.N. Security Council seat
-
Anticipated Korean blockbusters to check out this summer