North Korea reportedly failed to launch two more intermediate-range missiles this week, bringing the tally of recent unsuccessful launches to three. US Strategic Command systems detected and tracked the two attempted launches, at 4:43 p.m. Central Daylight Time on April 27, and 5:24 a.m. CDT on April 28, the command said in a statement. North American Aerospace Defense Command determined the launches did not pose a threat to North America. South Korean Defense officials said the launch appeared to be the second and third time the North has tested Musudans, new intermediate-range missiles, according to The Associated Press. North Korea on April 14 reportedly tried to test the missile, which ended in a “fiery” explosion on the launch pad, according to the Pentagon.
Earlier this week, the People’s Republic of China confirmed it is halting its nuclear arms control talks with the U.S., in retaliation for the U.S. continuing to sell arms to Taiwan. The move reinforces a “pattern of behavior” from Beijing, experts say.