13th May, 2017
North Korea has fired what appears to be a ballistic missile, reports from South Korea say.
The missile was launched near the city of Kusong, north-west of the capital, Pyongyang, Yonhap news agency reported.
North Korea has carried out a series of missile tests this year, increasing tensions with the US.
Pyongyang has accelerated its nuclear and missile tests in recent years, despite international condemnation and UN sanctions.
Two missile tests last month both failed, with the rockets exploding just minutes into flight.
The North is believed to be continuing efforts to miniaturise nuclear warheads and fit them on long-range missiles capable of reaching the US.
But despite poor relations, North Korea recently said it would hold talks with the US “if the conditions were right”.
The comments, by a senior North Korean diplomat, came after US President Donald Trump said he would be “honoured” to meet the North’s leader, Kim Jong-un.
The latest launch, if confirmed, comes days after South Korean President Moon Jae-in was sworn in, BBC reports.