North Korea test-fires ballistic missile

North Korea on Saturday on Saturday test-fired a ballistic missile, which exploded after lift-off, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency.

The ballistic missile, which was fired from a site near Pukchang, was estimated to have failed as it exploded shortly after lift-off, Xinhua news agency quoted the Joint Chiefs of Staff as saying.

However, a US official told CNN that the missile flew for about 30 to 40 kilometres before landing in the water off the Korean Peninsula.

The test-fired missile probably was a medium-range ballistic missile called a KN-17, the US official said.

The launch came hours after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson addressed a special meeting at the United Nations, calling for increased pressure on North Korea.

"All options for responding to future provocations must remain on the table," Tillerson said. "Diplomatic and financial leverage or power will be backed up by willingness to counteract North Korean aggression with military action, if necessary."

--IANS

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