Using one of the best opening lines ever, NBC reports that in celebration of North Korea's founding leader Kim ll-Sung's birthday (grandfather of current leader Kim Jong-Un), North Korea tried to launch a missile off its eastern coast early Friday.
The launch was a dismal failure according to Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis, who said that it was "a firey, catastrophic attempt at a launch that was unsuccessful."
The failure lead to this excellently crafted opening line from NBC's Stella Kim
"It seems North Korea experienced projectile dysfunction while celebrating its founder's birthday"
The launch was closely monitored by U.S. ships in the region according to USA Today.
"We were aware of North Korea's announcement of their rocket launch and monitored the situation with our allies Japan and South Korea. I can’t get into specifics of the operation, but … with our AEGIS ships, we do have a robust missile-defense capability for the region," Cmdr. Bill Clinton, spokesman for the U.S. 7th Fleet, in Japan, told USA TODAY.
Immediately following the news, the US quickly hit the tape to let everyone now they were aware of the failed launch and that they strongly condemn North Korea's provocative efforts.
*WHITE HOUSE AWARED OF N. KOREA FAILED MISSILE TEST: EARNEST*U.S. `STRONLY CONDEMNS' MISSILE LAUNCH AS `PROVOCATIVE':EARNEST
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While no official footage of the missile's demise were released, the following is an artist's impression of the event...