North Korea’s satellite failed to enter its preset orbit, as the world was closely watching the launch, considering it as “provocative”.
North Korea’s satellite failed to enter its preset orbit, as the world was closely watching the launch, considering it as “provocative”.
"The earth observation satellite failed to enter its preset orbit. Scientists", the North's official news agency said.
"Scientists, technicians and experts are now looking into the cause of the failure”, the agency added.
Shortly before Pyongyang’s announcement of failure, Seoul said the rocket exploded mid-air about one or two minutes after its launch Friday morning from the northwestern county of Tongchang-ri, splashing down in the Yellow Sea off South Korea.
The rocket, which lifted off at 07:39 am (2239 GMT Thursday), "flew about one or two minutes before it exploded mid-air”, South Korean Defense ministry said.
"We are keeping a close watch over the North for further provocative acts such as missile tests and a nuclear test", the ministry added.
INTERNATIONAL ACTIONS
The North’s rocket launch prompted condemning stances by Western and some neighboring countries.
North Korea had said the rocket was aimed at putting a satellite in orbit for peaceful research purposes, but the West see it as a “disguised ballistic” missile test, banned by United Nations resolutions.
US considered the rocket launch as provocative.
"North Korea is only further isolating itself by engaging in provocative acts, and is wasting its money on weapons and propaganda displays while the North Korean people go hungry," White House spokesman Jay Carney said.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura also condemned Pyongyang's move.
"Even if it was a failure, it is a grave provocation to our country and other countries concerned and violates UN Security Council resolutions," he said.
The South's foreign minister Kim Sung-Hwan said Friday's actions were a "clear breach of the UN resolution that prohibits any launch using ballistic missile technology. It is a provocative act threatening peace and security."
The Group of Eight powers also led condemnation over the launch which defied repeated warnings from global powers, and said they would consider taking "appropriate actions" at the UN Security Council which will meet later Friday.
The Security Council has ordered an emergency meeting for Friday to condemn North Korea's actions, but is unlikely to order immediate new sanctions against the communist state.
For its part, China, the North’s ally, urged "calm" and "restraint" from all sides.
"We hope all relevant parties can maintain calm and restraint, and refrain from acts that would harm peace and stability on the peninsula and in the region," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said in a statement.
