SEOUL – North Korea’s major ally, China, has criticised the reclusive country after it attempted and failed to launch a medium-range ballistic missile on Friday. The move, in defiance of UN sanctions, is an embarrassing setback for leader Kim Jong-Un.

The failed test, as North Korea marks the birthday of Kim’s grandfather, follows the North’s fourth nuclear test in January and a long-range rocket launch in February, which led to new United Nations sanctions.

But the North has nevertheless pushed ahead with its missile program, supervised by Kim, in breach of UN Security Council resolutions.

The US-based 38 North website, which specialises in North Korea, said there has been activity at the country’s nuclear site based on satellite imagery and on Wednesday said the possibility of a fifth nuclear test “could not be ruled out”.

China, North Korea’s most important economic and diplomatic backer, has been angered by Pyongyang’s nuclear tests and rocket launches in the face of UN sanctions that China has also backed.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the UN Security Council was clear on North Korean rocket launches.

“At present, the situation on the peninsula is complex and sensitive,” he told reporters. “We hope all parties can strictly respect the decisions of the Security Council and avoid taking any steps that could further worsen tensions.”

Chinese state media was more direct.

“The firing of a mid-range ballistic missile on Friday by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), though failed, marks the latest in a string of sabre-rattling that, if unchecked, will lead the country to nowhere,” China’s official Xinhua news agency said in an English language commentary.

“…Nuclear weapons will not make Pyongyang safer. On the contrary, its costly military endeavours will keep on suffocating its economy.”

Friday is the anniversary of North Korean founding president Kim Il-Sung’s birthday which is widely celebrated, and often with massive military parades featuring its latest weaponry or with missile launches.

In 2012, it was marked by a long-range rocket launch attempt which also failed.

– with Reuters