North Korea Fires Two Mid-Range Ballistic Missiles, Violates UN Sanctions

North Korea has test fired two midrange ballistic missiles in defiance of UN sanctions.

Two launches from the east coast of the city of Wonsan took place at 4:56 PM ET and 7:03 PM. Both tests failed over Sea of Japan, US Strategic Command spokesman Ltc. Martin L. O'Donnell was quoted as saying by Foxnews Tuesday.

The missiles were tracked over the Sea of Japan, where indications are they fell, according to O'Donnell.

The Musudan missile has a potential 2,180-mile range that could target much of Asia and the Pacific, including US military bases in the region. The launch on Tuesday was the fifth Musadan launch by the North Koreans to fail. 

State Department spokesman John Kirby condemned the launches, and said the US continues to assess the situation. 

"We strongly condemn these and North Korea's other recent missile tests, which violate UN Security Council Resolutions explicitly prohibiting North Korea's launches using ballistic missile technology," Kirby said in a statement.

"These provocations only serve to increase the international community’s resolve to counter the DPRK’s prohibited activities, including through implementing existing UN Security Council sanctions," he added. 

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 US 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.

In April, North Korea attempted unsuccessfully to launch three suspected Musudan missiles, but all exploded in midair or crashed, according to South Korean defense officials. Earlier this month, North Korea had another suspected Musudan failure, South Korean officials said.

Before April's launches, North Korea had never flight-tested a Musudan missile, although one was displayed during a military parade in 2010 in Pyongyang, its capital.

The launches appear to stem from Kim Jong Un's order in March for more nuclear and ballistic missile tests. The order was an apparent response to springtime U.S.-South Korean military drills, which North Korea views as an invasion rehearsal.