South Korea says North Korea missile launch likely failed

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A North Korean missile launch likely failed on Tuesday, South Korea's military said, the fourth in a series of high-profile failures that somewhat temper recent worries that the North is pushing quickly toward its goal of a nuclear-tipped missile that can reach America's mainland.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency said the missile was a powerful mid-range Musudan, which could potentially reach U.S. military bases in Asia and the Pacific.

Despite the recent failures, there have been growing worries about North Korea's nuclear and missile activities this year, which include a nuclear test in January and a rocket launch in February that outsiders saw as a test of banned long-range missile technology.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un issued an order in March that tests be conducted of a nuclear warhead and ballistic missiles capable of carrying such warheads.