North Korea had announced that it would launch more spy satellites into space to better monitor its enemies. A new launch ended in an explosion.
North Korea says its attempt to put another satellite into orbit for military purposes has failed. The carrier rocket carrying the reconnaissance satellite “Malligyong-1” exploded in the air shortly after launch, state media reported on Tuesday night (local time). Experts believe the reason for this could have been an engine failure. However, there could also have been other problems. South Korea’s military recorded the launch of the rocket on the west coast of the isolated neighboring country late on Monday evening. A few minutes later, “numerous pieces of debris” were spotted in the sea that could have come from the rocket, the general staff in Seoul said. South Korea’s top command later said the rocket may have exploded during the flight phase. Despite the failed attempt, South Korea’s military spoke of a provocation. It accused North Korea of once again using technology that is directly related to its ballistic missile program. The country is prohibited from launching or even testing such rockets by UN resolutions. Depending on their design, the missiles can be equipped with nuclear warheads. North Korea is subject to international sanctions because of its nuclear weapons program.
North Korea had previously informed Japan that it planned to launch a carrier rocket carrying a satellite in the next few days. It identified three danger zones in the sea into which rocket debris could fall.
The rocket launch took place just hours after a three-way summit between South Korea, China and Japan. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol warned North Korea against launching another spy satellite at a meeting with the Prime Ministers of Japan and China, Fumio Kishida and Qiang, in Seoul. The international community must respond resolutely, said Yoon.
The USA and its partner countries South Korea, Japan and Australia imposed new sanctions on North Korea because of the launch of its first spy satellite in November. North Korea’s ruler Kim Jong Un announced that his country would launch three more reconnaissance satellites this year in order to be able to observe South Korea and the USA more closely. Pyongyang accuses both countries of pursuing a hostile policy.
Source: Stern
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