North Korea has test-fired a ballistic missile, South Korean and US military officials say.

It apparently exploded seconds after lift-off, the South Korean military was quoted as saying by Yonhap news agency. The US military said the missile did not leave North Korean territory, reports the BBC.

It was fired from a site in South Pyeongan province north of Pyongyang in the early hours of Saturday local time, South Korea said.

The type of missile is not yet known.

US President Donald Trump tweeted: “North Korea disrespected the wishes of China & its highly respected President when it launched, though unsuccessfully, a missile today. Bad!”

So far there has been no word from North Korea.

Tensions in the region have increased lately, with both North and South Korea conducting military exercises.

North Korea has made repeated attempts to miniaturize nuclear warheads and fit them on long-range missiles capable of reaching the US.

BDST: 1131 HRS, APR 29, 2017
SR