Kim Yo Jong, a senior North Korean official and sister of leader Kim Jong Un, announced through the state news agency KCNA on Thursday local time that North Korea is preparing to launch a military reconnaissance satellite into orbit. She defended Wednesday’s unsuccessful launch attempt, asserting North Korea’s right to self-defense. She criticized other nations, including the US, for their extensive satellite deployments, labeling them as a “group of gangsters.”
According to KCNA, North Korea is keenly aware of the prolonged confrontation with the US and is determined to enhance its military deterrent comprehensively. The statement warned that North Korea will not stand by idly if the US continues to infringe on its sovereign rights.
Earlier on Wednesday, North Korea’s endeavor to place a military reconnaissance satellite in orbit failed when the second stage of the rocket malfunctioned, causing the rocket to crash into the West Sea. The report attributed the failure to low reliability and stability of the new engine system, as well as unstable fuel.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff reported locating debris believed to be from North Korea’s space launch vehicle in the sea about 200 kilometers west of Eocheong Island and are in the process of retrieving it.
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