US Pacific Command has confirmed that North Korea launched a missile from the Western part of the country.
“US Pacific Command detected what we assess was a North Korean missile launch at 10:33 a.m. Hawaii time APR 28,” read a statement.
US forces said that the missile did not leave North Korean territory after it blew up over land, and did not pose a threat to North America.
The missile launch — North Korea’s ninth attempt since President Donald Trump took office — appears to have been the KN-17, an medium-range scud type missile that flew about 25 miles in 15 minutes, according to Fox News’ Lucas Tomlinson. South Korean military officials also reported that the missile flew as high as 44 miles, according to CNN’s Will Ripley.
Shortly after the launch, Trump sent out a scolding tweet: “North Korea disrespected the wishes of China & its highly respected President when it launched, though unsuccessfully, a missile today. Bad!”
South Korean officials originally labeled the launch a failure, but Tal Inbar, head of the Fisher Institute for Air & Space Strategic Studies notes that in 15 minutes a missile can still reach its final stage and provide useful data, possibly progressing North Korea’s ballistic missile program.
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Featured image courtesy of AFP
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