North Korea’s second attempt to launch a spy satellite into orbit has failed, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The launch, which took place on Thursday, was unsuccessful due to a malfunction in the third-stage of the rocket. This comes after North Korea’s first attempt in May, when the satellite vehicle rocket Chollima-1 crashed into the sea shortly after liftoff.
The latest launch was reported to have failed due to an error in the emergency blasting system during the third-stage flight. The rocket broke into multiple parts and fell into the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the Pacific Ocean. The South Korean military, after salvaging the debris, stated that the design of the satellite was too rudimentary to fulfill its function, even if it had been successfully launched.
The launch prompted Japan to issue an emergency call for residents of the southern Okinawa region to evacuate. However, the evacuation call has since been lifted. Japan had received an email from North Korea on Tuesday, stating their plan to launch a satellite in the direction of the Yellow Sea and East China Sea between August 24 and 31. Following this, the Japanese Coast Guard issued a navigational warning for the area, urging ships to watch out for falling objects.
The launch has been condemned by Japan, South Korea, and the United States. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno strongly protested North Korea’s latest launch, calling it a serious matter that violates the United Nations Security Council resolution prohibiting any launches using ballistic missile technology. Matsuno stated that the Japanese government is collecting and analyzing details of the launch and will share them with the public.
South Korea’s National Security Council (NSC) also condemned the launch, describing it as a serious violation of the UN Security Council resolution. The NSC criticized North Korea for wasting its limited resources on reckless provocations instead of addressing the needs of its people. In response, the NSC pledged to strengthen cooperation with the United States and Japan to prevent North Korea’s illegal activities, such as the exploitation of North Korean workers overseas, cyber hacking, and smuggling at sea.
The US National Security Council condemned the launch as a brazen violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. They stated that the launch raises tensions and risks destabilizing the security situation in the region and beyond. The council’s spokesperson, Adrienne Watson, emphasized that the space launch involved technologies directly related to North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missile program. The US President’s national security team is assessing the situation in coordination with allies and partners, urging all countries to condemn the launch and call for serious negotiations with North Korea.
The launch comes shortly after US President Joe Biden met with the leaders of Japan and South Korea at Camp David. During the summit, the three leaders pledged closer cooperation to protect against nuclear threats from North Korea and urged Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
North Korea is expected to celebrate its 75th foundation day on September 9 with a military parade. The failed launch would have been a timely boost for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
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Ates UN Security Council resolutions. He also expressed concern about the potential danger posed by North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs. South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense echoed this sentiment, stating that the launch was a clear violation of international sanctions and that South Korea would respond with strict measures. The United States also condemned the launch, with the State Department calling it “deeply troubling” and emphasizing the need for North Korea to abide by its international obligations.
This failed satellite launch further raises tensions in the region, as North Korea continues to pursue its missile and nuclear ambitions despite international condemnation and sanctions. The launch serves as a reminder of the threat North Korea poses to its neighbors and the international community. The United Nations Security Council has held emergency meetings to discuss the issue and explore potential actions to address North Korea’s provocations.
