North Korean Missile Launch Fails

North Korean Missile Launch Fails
People watch a TV screen showing a file footage of a missile launch conducted by North Korea, at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, March 18, 2016. North Korea defied U.N. resolutions by firing a medium-range ballistic missile into the sea on Friday, Seoul and Washington officials said, days after its leader Kim Jong Un ordered weapons tests linked to its pursuit of a long-range nuclear missile capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. The letters on the screen read " North Korea fired a missile against the ongoing joint military exercises,dubbed Key Resolve and Foal Eagle, between South Korea and the United States.: (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
4/15/2016
Updated:
4/17/2016

A missile launch by North Korea is reported to have failed. 

The isolationist state is presumed to have been testing a “Musudan” ballistic missile early on April 15. Also known as a BM-25, the Musudan is an intermediate-range missile, the Musudan has a maximum range of 2,500 miles.

The nation’s inaugural test of the Musudan coincides with an important North Korean holiday. “The Day of the Sun” celebrates the birthday of North Korea’s founder, Kim Il-Sung. This year marks the 104th anniversary of the leaders birth.  

Tensions have recently been high in the Korean peninsula. US and South Korean officials report that the reclusive state has another Musudan missile and that it will most likely fire it soon.

North Korean has come under fire from the United Nations for its nuclear testing and firing of long-range missiles. The reclusive country has flouted the organization’s sanctions; last month the North fired “short-range projectiles” into the sea. 

This has been interpreted as a “low-level response“ to the UN’s recent decision to tighten sanctions on the North Korean state.