S. Korea military: N. Korea fires 2 suspected midrange missiles

SEOUL, South Korea — In a remarkable show of persistence, North Korea on Wednesday fired two suspected powerful new Musudan midrange missiles, U.S. and South Korean military officials said, but at least one of the launches apparently failed, Pyongyang's fifth such reported flop since April.

Despite the repeated failures, the North's determination in testing the Musudan worries Washington and its allies, Tokyo and Seoul, because the missile's potential 2,180-mile range could target much of Asia and the Pacific, including U.S. military bases there.

Each new test — apparently linked to a command from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un — also likely provides valuable insights to the North's scientists and military officials as they push toward their goal of a nuclear and missile program that can threaten the U.S. mainland. Pyongyang earlier this year conducted a nuclear test and launched a long-range rocket that outsiders say was a cover for a test of banned missile technology.

The launches appear to stem from Kim Jong Un's order in March for more nuclear and ballistic missile tests.