The launch of a North Korean military reconnaissance satellite failed due to a failure of the launcher’s second stage, causing the vehicle to crash into the sea, North Korean state media reported. The failure was caused by engine and fuel system instability, state news agency KCNA said.
The launch was the nuclear-armed state’s sixth attempt to launch a spy satellite, and the first since 2016 to launch the satellite into orbit. North Korea hopes this will allow it to keep tabs on US activities.
The United States “strongly condemned” the launch, saying it “escalates tensions” and “threaten to destabilize the security situation in the region and beyond,” a White House spokesman said. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the launch. He added that any launches by Pyongyang using ballistic missile technology violate Security Council resolutions.
Debris
North Korea previously announced it would launch its first military reconnaissance satellite between May 31 and June 11. In the information provided to international authorities, the Asian country warned that the launch would cause debris from the missile to fall into the Yellow Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
air raid alarm
The launch rocket was flying south. In response to the launch, air raid sirens were activated in both the South Korean capital of Seoul and the Japanese archipelago of Okinawa. In Seoul, shortly after the launch, all residents received a message on their cell phones asking them to prepare for an evacuation, putting “children and the elderly first.” Once it became clear that the launch would not endanger the public, emergency reports were withdrawn.
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
