North Korea admits reconnaissance satellite launch failure Cassis chairs UN meeting on safety at Zaporizhia nuclear power plant

According to state media, it was to be launched with a multi-stage launch vehicle, which plunged into the sea between the Korean peninsula and China after the first stage separated, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported Wednesday. After checking the error sources, a new start should be made as soon as possible.

South Korea’s general staff spoke of an “abnormal flight” of the North Korean missile, which took off from the western coast of the neighboring country in the morning (local time). The rocket launch briefly caused unrest in the metropolis of Seoul: alarm sirens were heard in the South Korean capital and residents were called on via text message to prepare for an evacuation. The warning was later withdrawn. The Interior Ministry said it was a mistake.

North Korea had announced the launch of a reconnaissance satellite. South Korea and the US interpreted this as a suspected imminent test of a ballistic missile technology missile. UN resolutions prohibit North Korea from launching ballistic missiles because, depending on the design, they can also be equipped with a nuclear warhead. After an unprecedented series of missile tests last year, North Korea has again tested nuclear missiles several times this year. The country is subject to international sanctions over its nuclear weapons program. (sda/dpa)