North Korea's quest to advance its space and missile capabilities took a notable turn on Tuesday with an attempted satellite launch involving a new rocket using safer fuel, reportedly developed with Russian assistance.
The launch occurred on Tuesday, May 28, however quickly ended in failure, with debris falling into the Yellow Sea just two minutes after liftoff, as reported by the South Korean military.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) described the launch vehicle as a "new-type satellite carrier rocket" without specifying the model (via Nikkei Asia).
This latest attempt followed North Korea's series of satellite launches in 2023 using the Chollima-1 rocket, which saw mixed results, including two failures and one likely success.
North Korea Upgrades Rocket Technology
A critical improvement in this launch was the use of a newly developed engine running on a combination of liquid oxygen and a petroleum-based fuel, believed to be kerosene.
This represents a notable shift from the hydrazine-based fuels previously used in North Korea's rockets. Hydrazine, while effective, is highly toxic and poses severe risks during the fueling process.
The development of this new rocket likely took at least two to three years, according to experts. Chang Young-keun, a professor at Korea Aerospace University, suggested that North Korea may have acquired the new engine from Russia, conducting several test firings before the latest launch.
This development aligns with promises made by Russian President Vladimir Putin to support North Korea's satellite program during a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in September 2023.
People sit near a television showing file footage during a news report at a train station in Seoul on May 28, 2024, after North Korea said late Monday that the rocket carrying its "Malligyong-1-1" reconnaissance satellite exploded minutes after launch due to a suspected engine problem. South Korea on May 28 slammed Pyongyang's failed attempt to put a second spy satellite in orbit, saying the abortive launch was a "provocative act" that threatened regional stability. Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP) (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images
South Korea and Allies React to North Korean Rocket Launch
The launch's timing, coinciding with a trilateral summit in Seoul involving China, South Korea, and Japan, stresses a number of geopolitical implications.
Some analysts believe North Korea delayed the launch until after Chinese Premier Li Qiang's departure from South Korea. Following the launch, South Korea's military highlighted its cooperation with the United States and Japan, deploying Aegis-equipped ships in the region and sharing information.
The United Nations Security Council has long imposed restrictions on shipments of kerosene and other petroleum products to North Korea to curb its missile and nuclear programs.
This launch is part of North Korea's broader strategy to bolster its reconnaissance capabilities and military prowess. Kim Jong Un has announced plans to launch three more spy satellites later this year, which aim to enhance surveillance of US troops in the region and improve North Korea's targeting capabilities.
International reactions have been swift and critical following the failed launch. Bloomberg reports that the US, South Korea, and Japan have called on North Korea to cease its launch activities, stating that the technology used for these rockets contributes to Pyongyang's ballistic missile program, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
The launch also fuels concerns over North Korea's military cooperation with Russia, amid allegations of munitions being sent to aid Russia's efforts in Ukraine-a claim both nations deny.
