What's happened
North Korea's latest attempt to launch a military reconnaissance satellite ended in failure when the rocket exploded mid-air during the first stage of flight on May 27, 2024. The launch, which was announced earlier that day, was part of Kim Jong Un's plan to enhance the country's space-based surveillance capabilities. Despite the setback, Kim urged his scientists to continue their efforts. The failed launch drew criticism from South Korea, Japan, and the United States, as it violated United Nations resolutions.
Why it matters
This event is significant as it highlights North Korea's ongoing efforts to develop its military surveillance capabilities, despite international sanctions and condemnation. The failure of the launch underscores the technical challenges faced by Pyongyang in advancing its space program. The incident also raises tensions in the region, as neighboring countries and the international community view such launches as potential tests for long-range missile technology. The outcome of North Korea's space ambitions could impact regional security dynamics and influence future diplomatic engagements.
What the papers say
According to The Independent, Kim Jong Un described the development of space-based reconnaissance capabilities as crucial for countering U.S. and South Korean military activities. Business Insider UK reported that despite Russian space experts' assistance, the rocket failed due to issues with the newly developed engine. The Guardian noted that the launch was criticized by Seoul and Tokyo, which urged North Korea to call it off. Al Jazeera highlighted that the projectile disappeared from radar, confirming the failure.
How we got here
North Korea has been striving to enhance its military surveillance capabilities through the development of reconnaissance satellites. In November 2023, the country successfully launched its first military spy satellite after two failed attempts. Kim Jong Un announced plans to launch three additional satellites in 2024. The recent launch was part of this plan but ended in failure due to technical issues with the rocket's new engine. The international community, particularly the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, has condemned these launches, viewing them as violations of U.N. resolutions and potential tests for ballistic missile technology.
Common question
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North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.
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South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea.
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Japan is an island country of East Asia in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It borders the Sea of Japan to the west and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Seoul, officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. Seoul has a population of 9.7 million people, and forms the heart of the Seoul Capital Area with the surrounding Incheon metropolis and Gyeonggi province.
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NHK is Japan's national broadcaster. NHK, which has always been known by this romanized acronym in Japanese, is a statutory corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee.
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Kim Jong-un is a North Korean politician who has been the supreme leader of North Korea since 2011 and chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea since 2012.