North Korea ballistic missile launch 'appears to fail'

A North Korean attempt to launch a ballistic missile appeared to fail on Tuesday morning, according to South Korean military officials.

The launch took place around 5.20am Seoul time, off the country's east coast, the anonymous official said.

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said the attempt appeared to have been of an intermediate-range "Musudan" missile.

The North is banned by the UN from using any ballistic missile technology.

Previously, the North Korean government has failed in three tests of the "Musudan" missile in April, sparking tension across the region.

Japan had put its military alert on Monday for a possible North Korean ballistic missile launch, state broadcaster NHK reported.