North Korea missile test fails before Pence visit

McMaster says US and allies studying all actions short of a military option

SEOUL: Seoul/Washington. Visiting US Vice President Mike Pence described North Korea's failed missile test on Sunday as a ‘provocation’ and assured South Korea of Washington's full support against the threat from its volatile neighbour.

Pyongyang launched the missile hours before Pence arrived in Seoul for talks on curbing the North's weapons programmes as fears grow that it is planning another nuclear test.

But US officials said the missile exploded seconds after it was fired.

"This morning's provocation from the North is just the latest reminder of the risks each one of you face each and every day in the defence of the freedom of the people of South Korea and the defence of America in this part of the world," Pence told US military families at an Easter dinner.

The latest launch came a day after the North held a defiant massive military parade in Pyongyang which showcased nearly 60 missiles -- including a suspected new intercontinental ballistic missile.



"The missile blew up almost immediately," the US Defense Department said of Sunday's early-morning launch from near Sinpo on the North's east coast. The type of missile was not clear.

South Korea's foreign ministry said that by conducting the latest test just a day after displaying a series of missiles, "North Korea has threatened the whole world".

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said President Donald Trump had been briefed on the latest test but had ‘no further comment’, while at the Easter dinner at Yongsan military base, Pence brought greetings for the troops from Trump.

Following the test, US National Security Adviser HR McMaster told ABC News: "There's an international consensus now -- including the Chinese and the Chinese leadership -- that this is a situation that just can't continue."

Amid sharply heightened tensions, McMaster said the US and allies were studying all actions "short of a military option," though the Trump administration has not ruled that out.

McMaster repeatedly stated that China -- North Korea's key ally -- is increasingly concerned about the reclusive communist state's behaviour.