More Missiles Launched, Including Possible ICBM

North Korea has conducted another series of missile launches, reports the Kyodo news agency (Tokyo).

On Thursday morning, Pyongyang launched what appeared to be an intercontinental ballistic missile from the Sunan area. Two short-range missiles were subsequently fired from South Pyongan province.

All the missiles were fired into the Sea of Japan. The ICBM initially appeared to be on course to fly over the Japanese island of Honshu, but disappeared from radar over the Sea of Japan, according to Japanese officials.

The first missile, believed to be a Hwasong-17 ICBM, appeared to fail after the second stage separated, reported the Yonhap news agency (Seoul), citing an unnamed defense source.

The missile traveled about 470 mi (750 km), reaching an altitude of 1,240 miles (2,000 km) before failing. The short-range missiles each flew about 220 miles (350 km), reaching an altitude of 30 miles (50 km), according to the Japanese Defense Ministry.

The test-firings appeared to be in response to ongoing large-scale joint air exercises between South Korea and the U.S., experts said.