North Korea earlier this week criticized the US for deploying an aircraft carrier to join joint military exercises with South Korea and Japan, warning of "new and overwhelming deterrence" operations.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the failed missile launch originated from the outskirts of Pyongyang. The Japanese coast guard said an object believed to be a North Korean ballistic missile appeared to have fallen into the sea.

Japan's Defense Ministry said the missile reached an altitude of about 100 kilometers and a range of more than 200 kilometers. Yonhap news agency, citing an unnamed military source, said it appeared to be a failed hypersonic missile test. North Korea's last missile launch was on May 30.

The missile launch came a day after the 74th anniversary of the start of the Korean War. North Korea's state news agency KCNA said on Wednesday that a mass rally was held in Pyongyang to mark the day.

North Korea recently launched hundreds of balloons carrying garbage toward South Korea, in response to the South’s sending of leaflets into the North. Tensions have also increased as North Korea has been building new fortifications in the border area with South Korea.

Bui Huy (according to Yonhap, Reuters)