“North Korean space authorities launched a military spy satellite Malligyong-1 on a new type of carrier rocket Chollima-1 from the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground at 6:27 a.m. on May 31,” North Korean state news agency KCNA reported. “But the rocket crashed into the sea after losing thrust due to abnormal start of the second stage engine,” the agency said.
South Korea also gave information
According to the information, ‘the authorities will thoroughly investigate the serious defects found in the satellite launch, take immediate scientific and technical measures to overcome them, and conduct another launch as soon as possible.’ The Joint Chiefs of Staff said South Korea’s military detected the launch of the satellite, which soon disappeared from radar and fell into the sea due to abnormal flight. North Korea confirmed on Tuesday that it planned to launch ‘military reconnaissance satellite No. 1’ before June 11.
Will get cover for ballistic missile launch
Tokyo and Seoul strongly criticized the proposed launch, saying it would violate UN sanctions barring Pyongyang from conducting any tests involving ballistic missile technology. Since long-range rockets and space launchers are built on the same technology, analysts say developing the capability to orbit satellites would give Pyongyang cover for launches of banned ICBMs.