Story highlights Initial reports suggest it was an intermediate-range Musudan missile

Earlier this month, South Korea rejected proposal from the North for military talks

Seoul (CNN) North Korea attempted to launch a missile Tuesday, although it appeared to be unsuccessful, South Korea's military said.

One missile was test-fired from the eastern city of Wonsan at 5:20 a.m., the South Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.

"Our military has maintained readiness as (we are) bracing for possibilities of additional provocations," said Jeon Ha-gyu, the chief of public affairs for the JCS.

It appears to be the latest in a string of missile tests as the country tries to advance its weapons program in defiance of the international community and its closest regional ally, China.

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