North Korea's assessment of failed military satellite launch

Image of Chollima-1 rocket carrying satellite released by North Korea. (Source: KCNA)

On June 19, the Korean Central News Agency ( KCNA ) reported the results of the 8th enlarged plenary session of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. The meeting mentioned Pyongyang's attempt to launch a rocket carrying a military reconnaissance satellite on May 31.

“The most serious issue is the failure of the military reconnaissance satellite launch, a major strategic work in the field of space development, on May 31,” KCNA said in English, calling the failure one of the “unforgivable setbacks.”

Also in the above document, Pyongyang said that the five points in the military capability development goals at the meeting were all very important, but the development of military reconnaissance satellites had a significant impact on the prospects of enhancing the strength and combat readiness of the North Korean armed forces.

Previously, on May 31, Pyongyang announced that it had test-launched the “Chollima-1” missile carrying the “Malligyong-1” military reconnaissance satellite. However, due to an abnormal start-up of the second stage engine, the missile fell into the Yellow Sea.

More than two weeks later, on June 15, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it had recovered debris, initially believed to be the missile's second-stage engine.

A day later, the South Korean military located debris from the missile in waters about 200 kilometers west of Echeong Island. However, the debris had fallen to the seabed at a depth of 75 meters, partly due to its weight.

South Korea hopes the investigation into the debris from the engine and rocket will help shed light on North Korea's long-range missile development program.