nuclear-news

Embarrassing failure of North Korea’s latest missile launch

North Korea fails to launch Musudan missile, US defence official says, ABC News, 15 Apr 16  North Korea’s attempt to launch what appears to be a medium-range Musudan missile has failed on the birthday of founding leader Kim Il-sung, a high-profile misstep after Pyongyang claimed a series of breakthroughs in its nuclear weapons program.

There had been widespread intelligence reports in recent days that the North was preparing a first-ever flight test of the Musudan, believed to be capable of striking US bases in the Pacific island of Guam.

The US and South Korean militaries both detected and tracked the early morning test.

“We assess that the launch failed,” a US defence official said, adding that it was “presumably” a Musudan.

The April 15 birthday of Kim Il-sung — the grandfather of current ruler Kim Jong-un — is a major public holiday in North Korea, where key political anniversaries are often marked with displays of military muscle.

A Pentagon spokesman described the attempted launch as a catastrophic failure………

Failed launch heightens possibility of further nuclear tests

South Korean officials and international experts said the failed launch heightened the possibility of North Korea conducting another nuclear test, possibly within weeks.

“North Korea is capable of conducting an additional nuclear test at any time if there is a decision by Kim Jong-un,” said a senior South Korean official involved in national security policies involving the North……. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-15/north-korea-missile-launch-fails/7329968

April 16, 2016 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | North Korea, weapons and war