North Korea vows to launch another surveillance satellite after failed attempt

Top North Korean officials have vowed to press forward with launching another surveillance satellite into space following the recent failure of the first try.

The Political Bureau of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee described the country’s first launch last month “the most serious” shortcoming in the first half of the year in a report presented to its 8th Enlarged Plenary Meeting held from June 16 to 18, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Monday.

Top North Korean officials pointed out during the meeting, attended by leader Kim Jong-un, that "the development of military reconnaissance satellite is of very great significance” in the prospective advancement of the country’s army and “in making full combat preparations” for the armed forces of the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea]," according to the report.

The report further cited the top officials as emphasizing that due to the significance attached to the issue, it "cannot be overlooked" and North Korean scientists and engineers must find ways to overcome the shortcoming.

North Korea’s first attempt to launch the satellite ended in its crashing due to a malfunction in the engine and fuel system. The "Chollima-1" rocket crashed into the West Sea of Korea on May 31, 2023.

North Korea’s reconnaissance satellite crashes into sea after rocket failure

North Korea’s first military reconnaissance satellite launch ended in failure after the rocket

Fighting US bid for global supremacy

The WPK Political Bureau also called on the nation’s defense forces to strengthen their military relations with other countries.

It called on the national defense field to consistently adhere to the “important tasks” for strengthening solidarity with countries that are “opposed to the US brigandish strategy for world supremacy,” KCNA added.

Pyongyang has pushed to boost relations with Russia, giving its approval to Moscow’s special military operation in Ukraine.  Pyongyang adheres to the principle that Moscow is defending itself against US-led NATO’s expansionist “hegemonic policy.”

North Korea has also sought to build on its ties with China, its closest ally and neighboring economic powerhouse that acts as its lifeline, fending the nation against US-led international sanctions.

Both Russia and China are veto-holding permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, and have repeatedly blocked attempts by the Americans and others in the Western bloc to toughen UN sanctions against North Korea over its rocket, missile and nuclear weapons development program to defend itself against persisting launch of massive war games by US and South Korean armed forces near its territorial waters.

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The Political Bureau also discussed ways to improve North Korea’s struggling economy, which experts say has been under pressure due to the sanctions slapped on the country.

Despite the brutal US-led sanctions, North Korea has achieved considerable progress in boosting agricultural output and reviving production in metal and chemical industries, KCNA reported.

It also cited notable progress in the construction field, citing a project to build tens of thousands of new homes in the capital, Pyongyang.

North Korea has been very open about its rocket development program, insisting that it is aimed at defending the nation against US aggression exemplified in its continuous war games in the region and the recent deployment of nuclear weapons to the Korean Peninsula.

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