The failed launch will sting in Pyongyang because it came a day after one of the biggest North Korean propaganda events of the year- celebrations of the 105th birthday of late North Korea founder Kim Il Sung, the current leader's grandfather.
He passed the leadership to his son, Kim Jong Il, who in turn passed it to Kim Jong Un.
The U.S. Navy sent the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson strike group to the Korean Peninsula region last week. Amid rising regional tensions, Pyongyang residents have been preparing.
Military planes flew in formation, creating the number "105" above Kim Il Sung Square.
At the same time, North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister downplayed reports that a nuclear test was imminent, something many fear would lead to a USA attack. However, the vice minister of foreign affairs told Tracy that North Korea will eventually go through with that test at a time of their choosing.
This matters because while North Korea regularly launches short-range missiles, it is also developing mid-range and long-range missiles meant to target USA troops in Asia and, eventually, the US mainland.
"It is still early days for these missile designs".
In addition to the new model, the country also displayed medium-range Musudan missiles; the KN-08, which can be launched from mobile platforms but is yet to be tested successfully.
The North also showed off various other ballistic missiles including what it claims to be a submarine-launched ballistic missile.
Neither the United States nor North Korea seems interested in deescalation at this point, however, with the Trump Administration keen to continue to ratchet up pressure, openly talking about military intervention and suggesting that they can "solve" the problem of North Korea unilaterally.
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Meanwhile, the prime minister has warned against street protests. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias). Earlier, Yildirim said that "the path to seek rights" should be limited to the courts.
He said: "It suggests a commitment to this programme".
Military analysts say the missiles could one day be capable of hitting targets as far as the continental United States, although the North has yet to flight test them.
"If the USA wages reckless provocation against us, our revolutionary power will instantly counter with annihilating strike, and we will respond to full-out war with full-out war and to nuclear war with our style of nuclear strike warfare", he said. "I have great confidence that China will properly deal with North Korea".
China has also stepped up economic pressure on North Korea. It banned all imports of North Korean coal on February 26 under United Nations sanctions, cutting off the North's most important export product.
CCTV had reported that all flights run by the airline between the two cities were to be suspended indefinitely.
"At present, we are in close contact with the United States and South Korea and in addition to urging (the North) to refrain from provocative actions and observe relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions", he said.
"It would be nice if the bomb could frighten Pyongyang, but its actual impact may just be the opposite", it said in an editorial. A US aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, is heading to waters off Korea in a show of force.
Beijing has long opposed dramatic action against the North, fearing the regime's collapse would send a flood of refugees across its borders and leave the US military on its doorstep.
North Koreans have been seen practicing choreographed dance routines in their brightly coloured national dress, reports CNN.
Kim Il Sung died in 1994 at the age of 82, after leading his country from its establishment in 1948 until his death. Any fighting on the Korean Peninsula is likely to draw in China, which has repeatedly expressed concerns about a wave of refugees and the possible presence of USA and South Korean troops on its border.
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