Russian Experts Aided Kim Jong Un's Space Ambitions Before North Korea's Spy Satellite Launch Failure: Report

Despite receiving assistance from Russian experts, North Korea’s recent endeavor to launch a spy satellite under Kim Jong Un‘s leadership has resulted in failure.

What Happened: North Korea’s recent effort to deploy the “Malligyong-1-1” reconnaissance satellite failed on Monday evening, according to Reuters. The rocket carrying the satellite exploded shortly after liftoff, with initial reports suggesting an engine malfunction.

South Korean news agency Yonhap revealed that Russian specialists had been aiding North Korea’s space program before the launch. A senior South Korean defense official, who wished to remain anonymous, mentioned that numerous Russian technicians had entered North Korea to offer their expertise.

Despite the involvement of these Russian experts, this launch marks North Korea’s third failure in its last four satellite attempts. The South Korean defense official speculated that the high standards maintained by the Russian experts might have caused delays in the launch preparations.

North Korean state media attributed the failure to issues with the rocket’s new liquid oxygen and petroleum engine, although other factors might have played a role. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command condemned the launch, calling it a “brazen violation” of United Nations resolutions.

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Why It Matters: The failed satellite launch comes amid heightened tensions in the region. Just days before the launch, North Korea informed Japan about the satellite launch, which was believed to be a spy mission. This move raised alarms in Tokyo and other neighboring countries.

Additionally, North Korea conducted a missile test just days before the satellite launch, further escalating regional tensions. This test followed a denial from Kim Jong Un’s sister regarding allegations of supplying weapons to Russia amid the Ukraine war.

Moreover, the failed launch occurred shortly after Chinese Premier Li Qiang held a trilateral summit with Japan and South Korea to discuss renewed relations. The summit aimed to address regional security concerns, including North Korea’s missile and satellite activities.

Western nations have also been pushing for increased surveillance over North Korea’s activities. However, this effort has faced resistance from Russia and China, as highlighted in a recent report on Western nations seeking a new watchful eye over North Korea.

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This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Kaustubh Bagalkote