The recent attempt by North Korea to launch its first spy satellite failed. Dealing a setback to leader Kim Jong Un’s efforts to enhance the country’s military capabilities amid escalating tensions with the US and South Korea. North Korea quickly acknowledged the failure and announced plans for a second launch once the cause of the failure was determined.
This determination indicates Kim’s commitment to expanding the country’s weapons arsenal and exerting pressure on Washington and Seoul. Particularly given the current standstill in diplomatic efforts. As a precautionary measure, South Korea and Japan briefly advised their residents to seek shelter following the launch. The South Korean military has been retrieving debris from the crashed rocket, including a metal cylinder suspected to be part of the rocket, from waters near the southwestern island of Eocheongdo.
Precautionary Measures and Recovery of Debris
The launch of a spy satellite by North Korea is in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions that prohibit the country from conducting any launches involving ballistic technology. Analysts believe that North Korea’s previous satellite launches have contributed to the advancement of its long-range missile capabilities. Although the most recent launch was likely focused on deploying a spy satellite. While North Korea has demonstrated the potential to strike the entire U.S. mainland through intercontinental ballistic missile tests. Experts outside the country suggest that it has yet to acquire fully functional nuclear missiles.
The Chollima-1 rocket, a newly developed missile carrying the Malligyong-1 satellite, was launched from the North’s Sohae Satellite Launching Ground in the northwest at 6:37 a.m. Unfortunately, the rocket experienced a loss of thrust following the separation of its first and second stages. Causing it to crash into the waters of the Korean Peninsula’s western coast, as reported by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency. The country’s space agency plans to investigate the launch’s defects and address them urgently. Al though conduct a second launch through various part tests.
North Korea’s Admission of Failure and Possible Domestic Narrative
The admission of failure by the North Korean regime is notable, as it is rare for them to acknowledge such incidents. However, it would be challenging for them to conceal the launch failure internationally. And they are likely to present a different narrative domestically. This outcome also suggests that Pyongyang may engage in another provocative act soon to compensate for this setback. According to Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.
South Korea’s military, in coordination with the United States, heightened its military readiness. While Japan indicated its preparedness to respond to any emergency. The South Korean military described the North Korean rocket’s flight as “abnormal” before it plunged into the water. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno stated that no object was believed to have reached space.
Lack of Imposed Sanctions Due to China and Russia’s Opposition
The U.S. National Security Council strongly condemned the North Korean launch. Citing the use of banned ballistic missile technology, heightened tensions, and the risk of destabilizing regional and global security. The US urges North Korea to return to talks and cease its provocative actions. The statement also emphasized that the U.S. will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the American homeland. As well as the defence of South Korea and Japan.
Although the U.N. had previously imposed economic sanctions on North Korea due to its satellite and ballistic missile launches. No new sanctions were imposed following recent tests. This is because China and Russia, both permanent council members and currently engaged in confrontations with the U.S., have prevented efforts to strengthen the sanctions.
