The United Nations once more on Tuesday urged North Korea to cease provocative actions after its latest attempted missile launch.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon considers that UN resolutions barring Pyongyang from developing missile technology and sanctions "should be fully applied," said UN spokesman Stephan Dujarric.

North Korea "should cease provocative actions," he added.

South Korea's defense ministry said Pyongyang had failed to launch a missile on Tuesday, the latest in a series of attempts.

In April the North failed three times to test-fire a Musudan, which has an estimated range of anywhere between 2,500 and 4,000 kilometers (1,550 to 2,500 miles).

South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted official sources as saying Tuesday's missile may have exploded on its mobile launcher.