North Korea's Missile Test on Kim's Grandfather's Birthday 'Failed'

South Korea states that North Korea's missile test, conducted on the birthday of the current leader's grandfather, was 'unsuccessful.' The United States has also indicated that this test does not pose a threat to the country. The Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea stated in a statement on April 27 that 'it appears North Korea launched a missile from its eastern coast on Friday morning, which apparently did not succeed.' According to Reuters, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense also mentioned that the military has 'tracked and monitored the apparently unsuccessful missile test by North Korea.' The North American Aerospace Defense Command stated that this missile does not pose a threat to the North American region. Yonhap, South Korea's official news agency, reported on Thursday, citing government officials, that Pyongyang intends to launch one or two medium-range ballistic missiles on the birthday of Kim Il-sung (the first leader of North Korea and the founder of the current regime). Last week, William Gortney, the commander of the U.S. Northern Command, stated that estimates suggest Pyongyang has achieved the capability to miniaturize a nuclear warhead for missile installation and may have access to the U.S. mainland using the 'KN-08' missile. At that time, Mr. Gortney mentioned that the U.S. is waiting to see where this missile test leads. The KN-08 missiles from North Korea are mobile and can be transported from one point to another. The type of missile that is said to have been 'unsuccessful' has not yet been specified. Previous reports indicated that the missiles prepared for launch were of the Musudan type. The KN-08 missiles are of the 'Nodong' type. Both missiles are mobile and transportable.