North Korea test-fires missile

Facts about North Korea

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff says North Korea has test-fired a missile from the western part of its country.

The missile reportedly exploded within seconds of launch and landed in the Sea of Japan according to CNN.

The test took place in an area north of the capital city of Pyongyang.

While shorter-range missiles are somewhat routine, there is strong outside worry about each longer range North Korean ballistic test.

The launch comes at a point of particularly high tension. President Donald Trump has taken a hard line with Pyongyang and sent a U.S. aircraft supercarrier to Korean waters.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.