North Korea's Spy Satellite Rocket Explodes Amid Trilateral Diplomatic Meeting in Seoul
A North Korean rocket carrying its second spy satellite detonated soon after launch. The launch came following a trilateral conference involving South Korea, China, and Japan. The United Nations prevents North Korea from carrying out such launches.
The unsuccessful launch occurred just hours after a trilateral summit between South Korea, China, and Japan in Seoul, the first such meeting in over four years. North Korea's aggressive actions amid a moment of high-level diplomacy in the region have sparked criticism from its neighbours.
The United Nations prohibits North Korea from carrying out such launches, citing them as a cover for testing long-range missile technology. According to the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the rocket, which was launched from the country's primary northwestern space centre, exploded during its first stage flight owing to a suspected engine failure. The KCNA cited the vice director of the National Aerospace Technology Administration, who stated that the explosion was most likely caused by the reliability of the newly built liquid oxygen-petroleum engine. Additional examinations into other potential causes are underway.
Following the launch, Japan's government issued a brief missile alert for the southern prefecture of Okinawa, asking inhabitants to seek shelter. However, the alert was eventually cancelled because the region was no longer in danger. Japanese Defence Minister Minoru Kihara branded the launch as a "serious challenge to the entire world," while South Korea's Unification Ministry called it a provocation that jeopardises regional security.
During the trilateral meeting, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol called for forceful international response if North Korea went ahead with its launch plans. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida encouraged North Korea to abandon its plans, while Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasised promoting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula through a diplomatic resolution.
Some observers believe North Korea's decision to launch its satellite on the first day of its eight-day window was a planned attempt to put a pall over the Seoul-Beijing-Tokyo talks and demonstrate its dissatisfaction towards China. Kim Jong Un has been actively seeking tighter connections with Beijing and Moscow to offset US influence, and China's engagement with South Korea and Japan may have been perceived as a threat by Pyongyang.
The botched satellite launch represents a blow for Kim's intention to launch three more military espionage satellites in 2024, in addition to the country's first military reconnaissance satellite, which was safely launched into orbit last November. The November launch followed two prior unsuccessful efforts.
A North Korean rocket carrying its second spy satellite exploded shortly after liftoff.
The launch occurred after a trilateral meeting between South Korea, China, and Japan.
The United Nations prohibits North Korea from conducting such launches.
Source: AP NEWS