conflicts
North Korea: failed satellite launch worst mistake
This photo provided by the North Korean government
© Uncredited/KCNA via KNS/AP/dpa
North Korea wants to launch its first spy satellite with a carrier rocket – but the launch fails. Now there is unusual self-criticism from Pyongyang.
North Korea described the failed launch of its own satellite for military reconnaissance almost three weeks ago as the most serious mistake in the first half of the year. In a report to the Central Committee of the ruling Labor Party, the responsible officials were “bitterly criticized,” the state media reported. You would have advanced the preparations for the project in an irresponsible manner. A new start attempt must be made in the near future.
North Korea, which is subject to international sanctions because of its nuclear weapons and missile program, admitted the technical failure shortly after the May 31 launch. A carrier rocket was supposed to bring the first own spy satellite into space. However, the rocket crashed into the Yellow Sea about 200 kilometers west of the South Korean island of Eocheong. South Korea’s military recently recovered a large part of the missile’s wreckage for its own investigations into the state of North Korean missile technology. The technology of space missiles and long-range military missiles differs little.
According to reports from North Korea, the Central Committee presented an interim report on the most important security and economic policy tasks for this year at a meeting lasting several days. Ruler Kim Jong Un was present. In addition to progress in expanding the strategic armed forces, shortcomings in some areas were also mentioned. “The most serious was the failed launch of a military reconnaissance satellite,” it said. The development of such a satellite is of great importance for the armed forces “to be fully prepared for combat operations”. The Central Committee is one of the leading bodies of the party, which is headed by Kim Jong Un.