KIM Jong-un suffered stage fright when his latest missile test exploded just seconds after launching.

The North Korean tyrant continued his show of sabre-rattling earlier this morning with the latest in a series of ballistic missile tests.

8 A North Korean missile test exploded seconds after launch, the US and South Korea confirmed. TV in the South played footage of a previous missile launch as the reports emerged today Credit: Getty Images

8 Kim Jong-un was shown watching the previous missile launches on the South Korean broadcasts Credit: AP:Associated Press

8 Kim has been left humiliated after his latest missile test failed within seconds of launch Credit: Getty Images

But US military chiefs confirmed Kim's rocket had erupted into a ball of flames moments after take-off.

US commander Dave Benham said: "US Pacific Command detected what we assess was a failed North Korean missile launch attempt.

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"A missile appears to have exploded within seconds of launch."

South Korea confirmed it had also tracked the rocket - just a fortnight after Kim's regime successfully tested four missiles.

It responded by launching air force drills with the US over the Korean peninsular this morning.

Its secretive northern neighbour has made no secret of its bid to fit nuclear warheads to missiles capable of reaching the US.

Only yesterday it stepped up its war of words with the US by declaring "we're ready for war".

A state official roared that Pyongyang has “the will and capability” for conflict with Donald Trump’s America.

8 South Korea responded by launching joint air force drills with the US Credit: AP:Associated Press

8 Tyrant Kim has been pictured watching his country test their latest ballistic missiles, sparking fear in the US and Asia Credit: YONHAP KCNA

8 The secretive state launched four rockets as it bids to fit a nuclear warhead to intercontinental missiles

He said: “We have the will and capability to fully respond to any war which the US wants.

“If the businessman-turned-US officials thought that they would frighten us, they would soon recognise that their method would not work.”

During a week of heightened tensions, tyrant Kim released a propaganda video showing a US aircraft carrier being blown up and a bomber shot down in flames.

Snaps from the secretive state’s recent ballistic missile launches are shown alongside the haunting message: “A knife will be stabbed into the throat of the carrier.”

Officials close to Trump responded by declaring the President is considering seizing dictator Kim Jong-un’s assets outside North Korea.

8 It comes days after Kim Jong-un threatened the US with nuclear destruction

8 A North Korean propaganda film shows aircraft carrier the USS Carl Vinson being targeted

Neighbours Japan and South Korea are increasingly concerned about Kim's nuclear capabilities, with attack drills held throughout the countries in recent weeks.

Meanwhile North Korea's traditional ally China has stepped in to try and ease tensions between Pyongyang and Washington.

But Trump's Secretary of State Rex Tillerson recently announced the “policy of strategic patience” was over and refused to rule out military action.

He said: “The diplomatic and other efforts of the past 20 years to bring North Korea to a point of de-nuclearisation have failed."

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