North Korea Has Now Had 3 Failed Missile Launches in 2 Weeks

South Korean officials said North Korea had two midrange missile tests fail on Thursday, bringing the total suspected misfires to three over the past two weeks.

Defense officials in South Korea said they believe North Korea has been testing its new Musudan missiles, which could theoretically reach the United States if development continues. The launches are obvious failures in the week before Kim Jong Un holds a leading party meeting, the AP reports.

South Korea also reported a failed test on April 14, but could not confirm the type of missile tested then.

Thursday’s first launch attempt took place in the morning, but the rocket crashed seconds later. Then in the evening, South Korean officials said another test failed near the South’s city of Wonsan. NORAD confirmed both launches.

[AP]