SEOUL: North Korea has fired an “unknown projectile” which appeared to fail immediately after launch, according to South Korea’s military.

The suspected missile was fired from an airfield outside the capital Pyongyang, BBC reported.

The airfield has been the site of several launches, including previous tests of what were the US alleges were intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

It comes as North Korea has in recent weeks stepped up its weapons testing.

“North Korea fired an unknown projectile from the Sunan area around 09:30 today, but it is presumed that it failed immediately after launch,” Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

Specialist news site NK News cited witnesses as saying they heard, loud “blowing” sounds – similar to that of a large aircraft were audible in Pyongyang, followed by a loud “crash”. It added that it had seen an image showing a red-tinted ball of smoke in the sky above the capital.

Speaking to NK News, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Ankit Panda said this image was consistent with that of a “catastrophic failure”.

He added that “reddish-orange smoke” is associated with liquid fuel – something that is “very toxic” to humans.

North Korea has so far carried out nine weapons tests this year, including what the US claims were tests of parts of a new ICBM, saying they were likely experimental launches before a likely full-range ICBM launch.

With a minimum range of 5,500km (3,417 miles), ICBMs can reach the US. They are designed for nuclear arms delivery.

(With inputs from BBC)