Reconnaissance satellite on board: North Korea launches rocket – earlier than expected

Reconnaissance satellite on board
North Korea launches rocket – earlier than expected

November 21, 2023, 9:04 p.m

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After two attempts failed for technical reasons, Pyongyang is now launching a rocket into orbit. According to Japan, it will be the carrier for a military reconnaissance satellite. The technology can also be used for long-range missiles with nuclear warheads.

North Korea has launched a rocket that it claims will carry a military reconnaissance satellite into space. This was announced by the South Korean military, as reported by the South Korean news agency Yonhap. Accordingly, the start took place a day earlier than expected. North Korea had recently informed Japan that it planned to launch a satellite between Wednesday and December 1st. Japan’s government announced on Tuesday that it would coordinate with partner countries to pressure North Korea not to carry out the launch.

The US government condemned the missile launch “in the strongest terms.” “This space launch utilized technologies directly related to North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missile program,” the White House said. North Korea must stop its “provocative actions” immediately.

North Korea has already failed twice this year in its attempt to put a military reconnaissance satellite into orbit. South Korean experts recovered and examined debris after the first launch attempt. According to the experts, the technology of space rockets and long-range military rockets differs little. Isolated North Korea claims it needs a spy satellite to counter an alleged military threat from the United States.

The United States and its allies South Korea and Japan condemned the failed North Korean missile launches in May and August. They accuse North Korea of ​​using technology directly related to its ballistic missile program. UN resolutions prohibit North Korea from launching ballistic missiles of any range. Depending on the design, such rockets can also be equipped with a nuclear warhead.