Breaking: North Korea defies Trump by launching a ballistic missile

Reports coming from the Korean Peninsula are that North Korea has launched a ballistic missile, but some are saying it failed immediately upon launch, just as their last missile test did.

Bret Baier reported on the breaking news from Fox News Friday.

"Two U.S officials confirming to Fox that North Korea has tested and test launched a ballistic missile in the Sea of Japan," he reported, "roughly about one hour ago. The missile has been assessed to be a KN-117, a former scud missile that officials believe is being tested to one day target ships."

"The missile flew, we're told, roughly 25 miles, was in the air for about 15 minutes. The KN-17 was launched from Pyongyang, Reuters is reporting that launch appears to have failed," Baier added.

"But again, a test launch of a ballistic missile from North Korea," he said, "ratcheting up tensions that were already high this week as you had the secretary state at the United Nations, you had the president talking about a possible major conflict, if North Korea does not change its ways. Breaking news within the hour."

Tensions have heightened with the "Hermit Kingdom" as President Trump has used his leverage with China to put economic pressure on the totalitarian dictatorship to stop testing nuclear weaponry. This latest launch is a defiant action against those demanding North Korea stand down and acquiesce to the global community.

Breaking News: 2 U.S. officials confirm to Fox News that North Korea has test-fired another ballistic missile. #SpecialReport @BretBaier pic.twitter.com/HYV3ugCD4D

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 28, 2017

U.S. officials have warned that military action might be taken against North Korea if they completed their sixth nuclear missile test. North Korea responded by saying that they were ready for a "super-mighty preemptive strike" against the United States if necessary.

Trump just recently said that there is a possibility of a "major, major" conflict with North Korea, but said that he hoped that diplomacy could help avoid a military altercation.