North Korea announced that its second attempt to launch a spy satellite ended in failure as the rocket carrying it exploded shortly after liftoff on Monday.
The Korean Central News Agency, which is state-operated, indicated the rocket exploded during the first-stage flight due to a potential engine malfunction, the Associated Press reported. The isolated nation is also examining other possible reasons for the failure.
This launch coincided with a meeting of leaders from South Korea, China, and Japan in South Korea, marking the first trilateral meeting between these countries in four years.
Claims by North Korea regarding its satellite launches have been met with doubt by the United States and its allies, who argue that these launches serve as a front for testing long-range ballistic missiles.
Japan temporarily issued a missile alert for parts of Okinawa on Monday due to the launch attempt.
South Korea’s Unification Ministry condemned the attempted launch, describing it as “a provocation that seriously threatens our and regional security.”
North Korea successfully placed its first satellite into orbit last November.
