Latest North Korean missile was a Scud: US official

Washington: A US defence official said on wednesday that the latest missile fired by North Korea was an extended-range Scud, and suffered an in-flight failure.

"A Scud ER (extended range) flew about 60 kilometers before suffering an in-flight failiure and crashing into the Sea of Japan," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

US and South Korean officials had previously said the missile was a KN-15 medium-range ballistic missile.

Scud missiles are liquid fueled, whereas the KN-15 use solid fuels, meaning they are more mobile and quicker to launch.

Today's missile launch was from a "fixed site" near Sinpo, the official said.