Global Courant 2023-05-31 08:26:32
A man watches a television screen showing a news broadcast featuring file footage of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul on May 31, 2023.
Jung Yeon-je | Afp | Getty Images
North Korea’s first attempt to launch a military spy satellite failed on Wednesday, with the South Korean military picking up wreckage after the launcher crashed in western waters.
North Korea’s state media agency, the Korean Central News Agency, said an “accident” occurred during the launch of a military reconnaissance satellite.
“The launch vehicle ‘Chollima-1’ fell into the Western Sea of Korea after losing thrust due to the abnormal starting of the second stage motor after separating from the first stage during normal flight,” the English version said. from its website.
The rocket, with a mounted satellite, was launched at 6:27 a.m. local time, as previously announced.
The North Korean state media added that the launch failure was due to “low reliability and stability of the new type of engine system applied” to the launcher and the “unstable nature of the fuel used”.
South Korean officials added that they are in the process of recovering “what may be the wreckage of the alleged ‘space launch vehicle’ fired by North Korea.”
South Korea has recovered objects that fell from the alleged North Korean space launch vehicle on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
Source: South Korean Ministry of Defense
South Korea has recovered objects that fell from the alleged North Korean space launch vehicle on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
Source: South Korean Ministry of Defense
South Korea, Japan and the US condemned North Korea’s launch on Wednesday morning, insisting it violated a United Nations Security Council resolution.
The US National Security Council said in a statement: “The door is not closed to diplomacy, but Pyongyang must immediately stop its provocative actions and instead opt for involvement.”
“The United States will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the American homeland and the defense of our Republic of Korea and Japanese allies,” it added.
Second launch ahead
North Korean state media added that it will make a second attempt “as soon as possible” after examining the “serious flaws” of Wednesday’s launch.
Officials in South Korea and Japan also acknowledged the possibility of an imminent launch from Pyongyang.
“North Korea has consistently demonstrated its intention to strengthen its nuclear and missile capabilities, and we believe there is a possibility that in the future it will continue to launch various types of missiles, conduct nuclear tests and commit of other provocations,” said the Japanese chief. That’s what Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters during a briefing.
South Korea’s presidential office also said that the National Security Council convened a meeting after North Korea’s launch.
“The NSC members decided to continuously monitor North Korea’s potential additional launch and continued to work with allies and friendly nations,” South Korea’s NSC said.
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