North Korea’s first satellite launch attempt
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| Photo: KCNA
The problem is not with North Korea’s own satellites, but with the way the satellites are sent. North Korea has announced that it is going to defy the UN sanctions.
North Korea has announced the launch of its third spy satellite into Earth orbit.
The United Nations sanctions North Korea’s use of ballistic missile technology. The same technology is used to send rockets into space.
Pyongyang told Japan that the satellite could be launched by this Wednesday. At the same time, criticizing the move, Japan said it would work with its allies to “strongly urge” Kim Jong-un to withdraw from the plan.
Both North Korean attempts this year have had embarrassing and costly results, with satellites collapsing in the early stages of launch, British daily The Independent reported.
North Korean officials have described previous incidents as ‘serious failures’.
Neighboring South Korea has also warned Pyongyang against the launch. In addition, the country has threatened to scrap an agreement signed in 2018 aimed at reducing tensions between the two countries.
The United Nations Security Council has banned North Korea from carrying out various activities using missile technology. This includes efforts to send satellites into space using ballistic missile technology.
“Their aim is to launch satellites, but their use of missile technology is a clear violation of the terms of the UN Security Council.” — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters.
“It could also have a major impact on our national security.”
Kazuo Ogawa, a spokesman for the Japan Coast Guard, said North Korean officials had identified three sea areas where the rocket debris was at risk of landing. He also said that the launch may take place between November 22 and November 30.
According to Ogawa’s data, the three regions identified are the Korean Peninsula, China and the Philippine Sea.
Previous attempts to launch spy satellites in May and August also mentioned these regions. This indicates that the country will follow the same path in a possible third attempt.
Kishida said, Japan’s defense system includes the warship ‘Aegis destroyer’ and the ‘Pac-3’ missile made by Lockheed Martin. And they are prepared to prevent any ‘unwanted’ incident. However, he did not give any detailed information about this.
A section of experts see this satellite launch as an excuse for North Korea to test its missile technology.
North Korea says it needs a space-based surveillance system to better monitor its adversaries.
It was North Korea’s first attempt to launch a satellite since Kim Jong-un’s rare and historic visit to Russia in September and his visit to the Vostochny Cosmodrome with President Vladimir Putin.
After visiting the modern space launch center, Putin assured Pyongyang that he would fully cooperate with North Korea’s satellite launch.
On the other hand, South Korea plans to launch its first rescue satellite on November 30. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will assist in launching the satellite from the US military’s Vandenberg Air Force base.
North Korea’s first two attempts failed due to technical errors in the early stages of launch. However, the country has promised to continue this effort until a successful launch.
