In the early morning on Friday, North Korea tried unsuccessfully to launch a ballistic missile Musudan, BM-25, according to reports. An anonymous defense official placed the attempt at 5:03 local time (2033 on Thursday UTC).

According to South Korean news agency Yonhap, the missile’s range is 3,000 to 4,000 kilometers (about 1850 to 2500 miles), enough to reach the US base on the island of Guam.

A statement from the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said “North Korea appears to have tried to shoot, this morning, a missile from the area of the East Sea, but it is presumed that the launch failed.” According to Yonhap, North Korea did not notify the International Maritime Organization of the launch.

Friday was the 104th birthday of the founder of North Korea and grandfather of present leader Kim Jong-un, Kim Il-sung, which is celebrated with military parades and events.

News source: wikinews.org