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A North Korean missile "blew up almost immediately" on its test launch, just hours before US Vice President Mike Pence arrived in South Korea for talks on the North's increasingly defiant arms program.

The failed launch from North Korea's east coast this morning (AEST) ignored admonitions from major ally China and came a day after North Korea held a military parade in its capital, marking the birth anniversary of the state founder Kim Il-sung, in which what appeared to be new long-range ballistic missiles were on display.

The type of missile used in the test is not yet clear.

South Korea said the combined show of force from the North and its leader Kim Jong-un "threatened the whole world".

Mr Pence is in Seoul for the start of a 10-day trip to Asia in what his aides said was a sign of the US commitment to its ally in the face of rising tension.

The US nuclear-powered USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier strike group is also heading to the region.

US Navy attack on a Syrian airfield this month with Tomahawk missiles raised questions about US President Donald Trump's plans for reclusive North Korea, which has conducted several missile and nuclear tests in defiance of UN sanctions, regularly threatening to destroy the South and the US.

South Korea, which hosts 28,500 US troops, warned of punitive action if the launch led to further provocations such as a nuclear test or a long-range missile launch.

"North Korea showing a variety of offensive missiles at yesterday's military parade and daring to fire a ballistic missile today is a show of force that threatens the whole world," South Korea's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The North has warned of a nuclear strike against the US if provoked. It has said it has developed and would launch a missile that can strike the mainland US but officials and experts believe it is some time away from mastering the necessary technology.

The US Pacific Command said the missile "blew up almost immediately", adding the type of missile was being analysed.

"The North attempted to launch an unidentified missile from near the Sinpo region this morning but it is suspected to have failed," South Korea's Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

The timing of the test, coinciding with Mr Pence's trip and a day after the military parade, would suggest deliberate defiance.

Mr Pence had been briefed on the failed launch en route to Seoul and had been in touch with Mr Trump, White House aides said.

The British Foreign Office in London said it was "concerned by reports of a missile test by North Korea" and was "monitoring the situation closely".

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said China should exert "influence" over North Korea following the revelations of the failed launch.

Mr Shorten told reporters in Melbourne today he was grateful for the "strong presence" of the United States in the Pacific region.

"We do need, I think, countries in the region, including China, to exert what influence they have on North Korea," he said.

"I think there's a good opportunity here for a China to demonstrate in its emergence in the world that it can have a positive influence on its close neighbors."

He declined to comment on whether Mr Trump's online comments had been "incendiary", instead stating the "provocative conduct" started with North Korea.


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Those fuckers still can't get it right.

In reply to djdrastic

Thereby proving how far North Korea is from an actual attack

Trump will have to return to the Russia issue

In reply to Halliwell

Trump can help them blow some place up - like painting a flag on a missile and delivering it. That could help to build up the enemy status.

In reply to black

ADAM!