North Korea deploys space rocket again amid failure months before

The South Korean Joint Chief of Staff reported on Thursday that the military had identified a North Korean projectile, potentially a space rocket, as Pyongyang had previously notified the Japanese Coast Guard about its intention to launch a satellite into space once again.

In an announcement to the press, the Joint Chiefs of Staff disclosed that they had spotted the launch at approximately 3:50 am (1850 GMT Wednesday).

North Korea asserted that it had conducted a firing of a “space launch vehicle,” directed southward from North Phyongan province, which “traversed the international airspace above waters west of Ieodo.”

This reference pertains to Socotra Rock situated in the Yellow Sea.

The JCS statement quoted by Yonhap conveyed, “Our military is maintaining a full readiness posture and closely coordinated with the United States, while simultaneously elevating our security posture.”

The initial alert regarding the launch came from the Japanese government, which indicated that North Korea had initiated a suspected ballistic missile firing.

According to reports citing Tokyo’s government by the Kyodo news agency, the projectile’s trajectory carried it over Japanese territory.

Having informed Japan’s coast guard about the intended launch window spanning August 24 to 31, Pyongyang prompted Tokyo to activate ships and its PAC-3 missile defense system to address any potential impact within its territory.

Seoul has categorically labeled such a launch as “an illegal act,” highlighting its violation of UN sanctions that prohibit North Korea from conducting tests involving ballistic technology, applicable to both space launches and missiles.

The initial endeavor’s failure occurred in May when Pyongyang launched what it claimed to be its first military reconnaissance satellite.

The rocket carrying it, named “Chollima-1” after a mythical horse frequently featured in official propaganda, plunged into the sea minutes after liftoff.

This incident triggered a complex and extensive salvage operation by South Korea lasting 36 days, which entailed naval rescue ships, minesweepers, and deep-sea divers.

The retrieved components of the rocket and satellite underwent analysis by experts from South Korea and the United States, who subsequently concluded that the reconnaissance satellite held no military value.

Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, has prioritized the development of a military spy satellite.

North Korea’s ruling party expressed strong criticism of the officials responsible for the crash in June, as reported by state media.

Diplomacy between the two Koreas remains at a standstill after unsuccessful attempts in recent years to discuss Pyongyang’s denuclearization.

Kim’s declaration of North Korea as an “irreversible” nuclear power and his push for increased arms production, including tactical nuclear weapons, underscores the current situation.

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