North Korea 'failed' ballistic missile test condemned
Video report by ITV News China correspondent Lucy Watson
North Korea has test-fired a ballistic missile, the South Korean military and US officials say.
A US government source told Reuters the test on Friday was unsuccessful and South Korean news agency Yonhap reported that the missile appeared to have blown up a few seconds into flight.
US President Donald Trump accused North Korea of "disrespecting the wishes of China and its president..
The launch follows increasing tensions between North Korea and the United States and its allies over Kim Jong-un's regime's efforts to develop nuclear weapons and long-range missiles.
The South Korean government condemned test, saying it will face "strong punitive measures" if it continues.
US and South Korean officials said the test, from an area north of the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, appeared to have failed, in what would be a fourth successive unsuccessful missile test since March.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, US officials said the missile was probably a medium-range weapon known as a KN-1
Japan has condemned the missile test launch as "absolutely unacceptable and a violation of UN resolutions", it also lodged a strong protest.
Speaking in London, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called on North Korea to cease dangerous provocative acts.
He also said Japan, the United States and South Korea must cooperate closely to address the situation.
A US official told Reuters that the Trump administration had expected some kind of North Korean "provocation" ahead of South Korea's elections in May.
The official also said that the move could give US President Trump more leverage to pressure China into reining-in Pyongyang.
New economic sanctions could also target specific North Korean and possibly Chinese entities that have already been vetted by the US, added the official.
The test came as US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned the United Nations that failure to curb North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs could lead to 'catastrophic consequences'.