A person watches a television screen showing news footage of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at a train station in Seoul, May 31, 2023.
Jung Yeon-je | afp | Getty’s paintings
North Korea’s first try and launch a military spy satellite failed Wednesday, with the South Korean military claiming the wreckage after a launch vehicle crashed in its western waters.
North Korea’s state-run media agency, the Korean Central News Agency, reported that there was an “accident” throughout the launch of a military reconnaissance satellite.
“The Chollima-1 launch vehicle crashed into the West Sea of Korea after losing thrust as a consequence of the second stage engine misfiring after first stage separation during normal flight,” its website said.
The rocket with the mounted satellite was launched at 6:27 am local time, as previously announced.
North Korean state media added that the failed launch was as a consequence of the “low reliability and stability of the brand new type engine system used” within the launch vehicle and the “unstable nature of the fuel used”.
South Korean officials added that they’re within the strategy of excavating “what stands out as the wreckage of an alleged ‘space launch vehicle’ launched by North Korea.”
South Korea salvaged what it believes to be items that fell from a supposed North Korean space rocket on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
Source: South Korean Ministry of Defense
South Korea salvaged what it believes to be items that fell from a supposed North Korean space rocket on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
Source: South Korean Ministry of Defense
South Korea, Japan and the USA condemned North Korea’s Wednesday morning launch and stressed that it was in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
The US National Security Council said in a press release: “The door has not closed to diplomacy, but Pyongyang must immediately stop its provocative activities and select engagement as an alternative.”
“The USA will take all needed measures to make sure the security of the American homeland and the defense of our Republic of Korea and Japanese allies,” it added.
The second launch is ahead of us
North Korea’s state media added that it might make a second attempt “as soon as possible” after investigating “serious faults” from Wednesday’s launch.
Officials in South Korea and Japan also confirmed the potential for an imminent launch from Pyongyang.
“North Korea has consistently shown its intention to strengthen its nuclear and missile capabilities, and we imagine that there’s a possibility that it should proceed to launch various varieties of missiles, conduct nuclear tests and have interaction in other provocations in the longer term,” the pinnacle of the Japanese government said. Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters.
![North Korean satellite launch failure sends Seoul into 'panic mode'](https://image.cnbcfm.com/api/v1/image/107248386-16855006781685500676-29683646128-1080pnbcnews.jpg?v=1685503166&w=750&h=422&vtcrop=y)
The South Korean president’s office also said the National Security Council called a gathering after North Korea launched a missile.
“NSC members have decided to repeatedly monitor possible additional North Korean launches and maintain cooperation with allies and friendly nations,” South Korea’s NSC said.