North Korea has attempted to fire a ballistic missile off its east coast but the launch appears to have failed, South Korean military officials say.

Dhaka expresses deep concern over the recent rocket launch by North Korea and urges the country to refrain from any action that might escalate tension in the Korean Peninsula.

South Korea and Japan echo US warnings that North Korea would pay a heavy price if it pushes ahead with a planned rocket launch just weeks after conducting its fourth nuclear test.