U.S., South Korea report second North Korean missile test failure in a week

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- North Korea tested a intermediate-range ballistic missile Thursday morning, and for the second time in a week the launch was a failure.

A Musudan ballistic missile exploded shortly after launch, making it the second time a test one of North Korea's missiles failed in five days and seventh time out of eight tests of the missiles to fail, according to the United States' and South Korean militaries.

The test was detected around 6:30 a.m. local time by the United States Strategic Command and verified by the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff as taking place near the northwestern city of Kusong.

The Musudan missile, which has been launched successfully once, in June, has a range of more than 2,000 miles, giving it the theoretical ability to reach American military bases in Guam, as well as South Korea and Japan. The missile launched in June traveled about 250 miles, while the rest have blown up almost immediately after launch.

"We strongly condemn this and North Korea's other recent missile tests, which violate UN Security Council Resolutions explicitly prohibiting North Korea's launches using ballistic missile technology," said U.S. Navy Commander Gary Ross.

The failed test comes on the same day the United States and South Korea announced a plan to strengthen the security alliance between the two countries, which may include the permanent deployment of nuclear bombers, stealth fighter jets and nuclear-powered submarines to U.S. bases there.