North Korea Fires Three Missiles Into Sea, US Says They All Failed

North Korea Fires Three Missiles Into Sea, US Says They All Failed

The US military's Pacific Command said it had detected three short-range ballistic missiles, all of which failed.

"The first and third missiles at 11:49am and 12:19pm failed in flight. The second missile launch at 12:07pm appears to have blown up almost immediately," it said, using times at its Hawaii-based headquarters.

South Korea said the projectiles were launched from the North's eastern Kangwon province and flew in a north-easterly direction about 250 kilometres into the sea.

Since firing an intercontinental ballistic weapon last month, Pyongyang has threatened to aim missiles at the US Pacific territory of Guam.

But this latest test did not threaten the US or Guam, the US military said.

North Korean missile tests often come in response to South Korean military exercises involving the US.

Thousands of US and South Korean troops are currently taking part in joint military drills, which are mainly largely computer-simulated exercises.

The projectiles were first launched at 06:49 on Saturday (21:49 GMT Friday), South Korea's Defence Ministry said.

The US military said three missiles were fired.

"The first and third missiles... failed in flight. The second missile launch... appears to have blown up almost immediately," said Commander Dave Benham of the US Pacific Command.

The launches were spread over a period of 30 minutes, he added.

"The military is keeping a tight surveillance over the North to cope with further provocations", the South Korean defence ministry said.