North Korea's satellite launch fails, explodes in mid-air

North Korea launched a reconnaissance satellite on a new rocket from its main space center in the northwest, KCNA said, but confirmed the rocket exploded in the early stages of launch, possibly due to an engine problem.

KCNA quoted a deputy director of the North's National Aerospace Technology Administration as saying that a preliminary examination showed the explosion was related to a newly developed gasoline-liquid oxygen engine. He said other possible causes would be investigated.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday it detected the trajectory of what appeared to be a satellite launched from North Korea's main space center at 10:44 p.m. local time Monday. Four minutes later, debris was spotted in the sea.

The Japanese government had earlier issued a missile alert for the southern prefecture of Okinawa, urging residents to take shelter in buildings and other safe places. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the alert was later lifted because the area was no longer in danger.

North Korea notified Japan’s coast guard early Monday of its plan to launch a “satellite missile,” warning to exercise caution in waters between the Korean Peninsula and China and east of the main Philippine island of Luzon during the launch period from May 27 to June 3.

North Korea insists it has the right to launch satellites and test missiles. However, Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara called North Korea's missile launch a "serious challenge to the entire world ." South Korea's Unification Ministry called North Korea's satellite launch "a provocation that seriously threatens our and the region's security."

The failed launch has significantly affected North Korea's plan to launch three more military satellites by 2024, as announced by leader Kim Jong Un Kim. North Korea successfully launched its first military reconnaissance satellite in November last year, but it also failed twice before.

Bui Huy (according to KCNA, Yonhap, AP)