North Korea tried to test-launch a ballistic missile from a submarine, a website that monitors the reclusive state reported, as Chinese state media said defiant actions by Pyongyang have become a threat to regional security.
The website said the submarine sailed towards the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, prompting South Korean intelligence to track the vessel's movement. But it turned back without firing the missile.
"It seems that the submarine dealt with a malfunction during the process of their fourth SLBM [submarine ballistic missile] test launch and decided to return," an unidentified former South Korean admiral told the site.
The incident on Wednesday was first reported by the South Korean cable television Maeil Broadcasting Network. South Korea's defence ministry did not comment on the report.
News of Pyongyang's latest military manouevre comes as its closest ally, Beijing, has become more pointed in its criticism of North Korea.
"Peace-brokering should never be at the price of appeasing Pyongyang's nuclear ambition," the English-language site said, adding that North Korea has a "credibility problem" when it comes to denuclearisation.
"Peace-brokering should never be at the price of appeasing Pyongyang's nuclear ambition," the English-language site said, adding that North Korea has a "credibility problem" when it comes to denuclearisation.
On Wednesday, China banned most imports of North Korean coal and iron ore in response to ongoing missile tests.
Beijing is North Korea's only major ally and aid donor but says its influence over Kim Jong Un's government is limited.
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