A North Korean rocket explodes shortly after launch – a major setback for Kim Jong Un’s plans to launch more spy satellites.
A rocket launched by North Korea intended to carry the country’s second spy satellite into space exploded shortly after takeoff. This is reported by “AP”. The false launch calls into question North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s ambitions to operate multiple satellites to better monitor the United States and South Korea.
According to North Korea’s KCNA news agency, the accident was likely due to problems with the newly developed liquid oxygen petroleum engine. Other possible causes are still being investigated.
The rocket launch failure is a setback for Kim’s plan to launch three more military spy satellites in 2024. According to AP, the first attempt last November failed when the rocket crashed into the sea shortly after launch.
The failed launch led to sharp criticism from neighboring countries and the international community, as the UN bans North Korea from such launches. They view these as camouflage for testing long-range military missiles. The US Indo-Pacific Command called the launch a “brazen violation” of UN Security Council resolutions.
Despite international criticism and sanctions, North Korea insists it has the right to launch satellites and test missiles. Kim Jong Un has strongly supported Russia in recent months and expanded military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow as both countries are at odds with Washington.