North Korea has announced the failed launch of a carrier rocket carrying a military reconnaissance satellite. The rocket launch had previously caused unrest in Seoul.
The self-declared nuclear power North Korea has apparently failed to launch a satellite for military purposes.
According to state media, it was to be launched on a multi-stage launch vehicle, which crashed into the sea between the Korean peninsula and China after the first stage separated, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.
After checking the sources of error, another start should take place as soon as possible.
Rocket launch sparks unrest in Seoul
The general staff in South Korea spoke of an “abnormal flight” of the North Korean missile, which took off from the west coast of the neighboring country in the morning (local time).
The rocket launch briefly caused unrest in the metropolis of Seoul: alarm sirens could be heard in the South Korean capital, and text messages called on residents to prepare for an evacuation. The alert was later withdrawn. The Ministry of the Interior said it was a mistake.
US accuses North Korea of testing ballistic missile technology
North Korea had announced the launch of a reconnaissance satellite. South Korea and the United States interpreted this as a presumed upcoming test of a missile with ballistic missile technology.
Accordingly, the US government sharply criticized North Korea’s launch of a multi-stage rocket. “This alleged space launch employed technologies directly related to North Korea’s ICBM program,” the National Security Council said.
De-escalation by diplomatic means is still possible, but Pyongyang must stop its provocative actions immediately. The rocket launch increases tensions in the region and could destabilize the security situation, it said.
Violation of UN resolutions
Pyongyang justified the planned launch of the spy satellite by saying that it was “essential” to monitor “the dangerous military actions of the United States and its vassals” – a reference to US military exercises with South Korea.
UN resolutions prohibit North Korea from launching ballistic missiles because, depending on the design, they can also be equipped with a nuclear warhead.
After an unprecedented series of missile tests last year, North Korea has again tested nuclear-capable missiles several times this year. The country is subject to international sanctions because of its nuclear weapons program.