North Korea has attempted to launch an unidentified missile, but the test failed, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff have said.

Its goal is to create a long-range nuclear missile that can hit the United States.

The US Pacific Command said they detected a missile launch and that it "blew up almost immediately".

Earlier the country had said it was "ready for nuclear war".

Sunday's launch comes a day after the country celebrated the 105th birthday of late North Korea founder Kim Il Sung.