Gravitas investigates the launch of North Korea's Malligyong-1 spy satellite, a major event sparking global security concerns. This report covers potential violations of U.N. resolutions, international reactions, and implications for the Korean Peninsula's space race. Stay informed on key global security issues with our in-depth analysis.

Gravitas: North Korea's military spy satellite launch raises global alarm | Gravitas Special Report

Japan's J-Alert warning system was triggered by a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-makes-fresh-attempt-to-launch-first-spy-satellite-says-it-was-success-661263">North Korean missile launch</a> in the country's southwestern Okinawa prefecture late on Tuesday (Nov 21).&nbsp;But Japan is not sure whether North Korea has successfully managed to put a military spy satellite into orbit as claimed by Pyongyang.&nbsp;

Hirokazu Matsuno, who is the chief government spokesman, said: "The government at this point is not confirming whether the satellite has entered into an orbit around the Earth."&nbsp;

Hours before Japan's claim, the news agency Reuters reported that an eyewitness video recorded the audio of the alert system warning&nbsp;residents of a missile launch.&nbsp;

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The alert system also advised people to take cover inside buildings or underground.&nbsp;

This came after North Korea claimed that the launch on Tuesday had successfully placed its first spy satellite in orbit.&nbsp;As per reports, North Korea claimed that it successfully launched the "Malligyong-1" satellite launch vehicle (SLV), placing a military reconnaissance satellite in orbit.&nbsp;

Japan had issued an evacuation order to residents in Okinawa immediately after the launch. But it rescinded the call after the missile passed over the Pacific Ocean.&nbsp;

North Korea also vowed to launch more in the near future, defying international condemnation from the United States and its allies.

Watch this report:&nbsp;

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<h2>Japan 'currently analysing' the launch&nbsp;</h2>

Meanwhile, Matsuno further added that Japan's defence ministry was "currently analysing" the launch.&nbsp;

He told reporters, "We think that since last year, North Korea has conducted repeated launches using ballistic missile technology at the highest-ever frequency, and is rapidly improving its missile-related technology and its operational capability."&nbsp;

"North Korea's repeated launches using ballistic missile technology cannot be tolerated, and its rapid improvement of missile technology cannot be overlooked," Matsuno added.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Tuesday: "Even if they call it a satellite, the launch of an item that uses ballistic missile technology is clearly a violation of the relevant United Nations resolutions."

(With inputs from agencies)

Japan's J-Alert warning system was triggered by a North Korean missile launch in the country's southwestern Okinawa prefecture late on Tuesday (Nov 21). But Japan is not sure whether North Korea has successfully managed to put a military spy satellite into orbit as claimed by Pyongyang.

Japan's J-Alert warning system was triggered by a North Korean missile launch in the country's southwestern Okinawa prefecture late on Tuesday (Nov 21). But Japan is not sure whether North Korea has successfully managed to put a military spy satellite into orbit as claimed by Pyongyang. Hirokazu Matsuno, who is the chief government spokesman, said: "The government at this point is not confirming whether the satellite has entered into an orbit around the Earth." Hours before Japan's claim, the news agency Reuters reported that an eyewitness video recorded the audio of the alert system warning residents of a missile launch. Also read: Japan's wage boom paves the way for BOJ exit, boosts inflation battle The alert system also advised people to take cover inside buildings or underground. This came after North Korea claimed that the launch on Tuesday had successfully placed its first spy satellite in orbit. As per reports, North Korea claimed that it successfully launched the "Malligyong-1" satellite launch vehicle (SLV), placing a military reconnaissance satellite in orbit. Japan had issued an evacuation order to residents in Okinawa immediately after the launch. But it rescinded the call after the missile passed over the Pacific Ocean. North Korea also vowed to launch more in the near future, defying international condemnation from the United States and its allies. Watch this report: × Also read: Plane crashes into parking lot of Texas shopping centre, bursts into flames Japan 'currently analysing' the launch Meanwhile, Matsuno further added that Japan's defence ministry was "currently analysing" the launch. He told reporters, "We think that since last year, North Korea has conducted repeated launches using ballistic missile technology at the highest-ever frequency, and is rapidly improving its missile-related technology and its operational capability." "North Korea's repeated launches using ballistic missile technology cannot be tolerated, and its rapid improvement of missile technology cannot be overlooked," Matsuno added. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Tuesday: "Even if they call it a satellite, the launch of an item that uses ballistic missile technology is clearly a violation of the relevant United Nations resolutions." (With inputs from agencies)

Japan not sure if North Korea successfully put military spy satellite into orbit

North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong on Thursday (June 1) promised more spy satellite launches, a day after Pyongyang launched one such satellite that crashed because of a rocket failure.

North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong on Thursday (June 1) promised more spy satellite launches, a day after Pyongyang launched one such satellite that crashed because of a rocket failure. In a statement carried by the KCNA, Yo Jong said it is certain that the military reconnaissance satellite will be correctly put into space orbit shortly and start its mission. KCNA reported that the Chollima-1 rocket, carrying a military reconnaissance satellite known as "Malligyong-1", crashed into the sea. The state media also published on Thursday photographs of what is said was the new rocket lifting off from a coastal launch pad. The white-and-grey rocket had a bulbous nose, apparently for carrying a satellite or other cargo. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, Ankit Panda from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace said the photographs confirmed that the rocket was a new design. "The launch used the new coastal launch pad they've built at Tongchang-ri, so we might see a larger space launch vehicle use the traditional gantry that has seen some work recently," Panda said. Following Wednesday's launch, US-based monitors reported that commercial satellite imagery showed significant activity at the main pad. Kim Yo Jong on criticism of spy satellite launch As the launch was criticised by many including Japan, South Korea, and the US Kim Yo Jong said on Thursday the criticisms were "self-contradiction" as the US and other countries have already launched "thousands of satellites." ALSO READ | South Korea ‘salvaging debris’ of crashed North Korean military spy satellite "The US is a group of gangsters who would claim that even if the DPRK launches a satellite ...it is illegal and threatening," Yo Jong added. Want closer cooperation with US, South Korea to deal with Pyongyang: Japan Japanese Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada on Thursday told US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that he wanted closer cooperation with the US and South Korea to deal with North Korea after Wednesday's spy satellite launch failed. During a meeting with Austin in Tokyo, Hamada said, "We need to strengthen ties between Japan and the US and also between Japan, the US and ROK (Republic of Korea), as it is possible that North Korea launches again." Austin, meanwhile, told the Japanese defence minister that he wanted to bolster cooperation between their alliance, South Korea and Australia, as they also face challenges posed by China and Russia, Reuters reported. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

North Korea: Kim Jong Un's sister promises ‘successful’ spy satellite launch after failure

North Korea state media said on Wednesday that a military spy satellite was&nbsp;launched but it failed and crashed into the sea.

"The launched new satellite transport rocket 'Cheollima-1' crashed into the West Sea of Korea as it lost momentum due to abnormal start-up of the two-stage engine after one step separation while flying normally," the Korean Central News Agency reported. 
 
Pyongyang’s&nbsp;failure to put the country’s first spy satellite into orbit is&nbsp;being viewed as an embarrassment for its leader Kim Jong Un who has been pushing for a boost of North Korea’s military capability amid the security tensions with the United States and South Korea. 
 
It was the nuclear-armed state's sixth satellite launch attempt, and the first since 2016 and would have been North Korea’s first spy satellite in orbit. 
 
North Korea's National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) will investigate the "serious defects" and take action to overcome them before conducting a second launch as soon as possible, KCNA said.

The launch of the satellite, meanwhile, caused panic and a flurry of activity in South Korean capital Seoul as air raid sirens blared and city authorities asked citizens to be prepared for evacuation before saying that the evacuation order was 'incorrectly issued'.

The text alert that was initially sent read,&nbsp;"Citizens, please prepare to evacuate and allow children and the elderly to evacuate first."

<h2>Missile alert warning system activated in Japan</h2>

Japan activated its missile alert warning system for the southern region of Okinawa soon after the North Korean launch.

"Missile launch. Missile launch. North Korea appears to have launched a missile. Please take shelters inside buildings or underground," said the alert tweeted by the prime minister’s office and carried on national broadcaster NHK.

The official English language Twitter handle of Japan PMO said in its tweets that a 'suspected ballistic missile' has been fired by North Korea and that&nbsp;'it will possibly land in the area around Okinawa'.

But around 30 minutes later, the government tweeted that the alert was being cancelled.

"It is expected that the missile reported earlier will not come to Japan. The call for evacuation is lifted," it said.

News agency Yonhap quoted South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff assaying that the projectile flew over the Yellow Sea and didn't affect the Seoul metropolitan area. 
 
Officials from the United States, Japan, South Korea held a phone call and&nbsp;“strongly condemned" the launch, Japan’s foreign ministry said.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the military was conducting operation to recover parts of the space launch vehicle.&nbsp;The military shared pictures of debris pulled from the water.&nbsp;

North Korea had earlier given indications that it intends to launch a spy satellite. On Tuesday, North Korea said that the satellite would be "indispensable to tracking, monitoring... and coping with in advance in real time the dangerous military acts of the US and its vassal forces".

The North had criticised US-South Korea joint military exercises, including the one going on right now. According to North Korean state media, one of country's top military officials said that Pyongyang felt "the need to expand reconnaissance and information means and improve various defensive and offensive weapons."

However, since&nbsp;long-range rockets and space launchers share the same technology, analysts say developing the ability to put a satellite in orbit would provide Pyongyang with cover for testing banned intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

In 2012 and 2016, Pyongyang tested ballistic missiles that it called satellite launches. Both flew over Japan's southern Okinawa region.

(With inputs from agencies)

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North Korea state media said on Wednesday that a military spy satellite was launched but it failed and crashed into the sea. "The launched new satellite transport rocket 'Cheollima-1' crashed into the West Sea of Korea as it lost momentum due to abnormal start-up of the two-stage engine after one step separation while flying normally," the Korean Central News Agency reported.

North Korea state media said on Wednesday that a military spy satellite was launched but it failed and crashed into the sea. "The launched new satellite transport rocket 'Cheollima-1' crashed into the West Sea of Korea as it lost momentum due to abnormal start-up of the two-stage engine after one step separation while flying normally," the Korean Central News Agency reported. Pyongyang’s failure to put the country’s first spy satellite into orbit is being viewed as an embarrassment for its leader Kim Jong Un who has been pushing for a boost of North Korea’s military capability amid the security tensions with the United States and South Korea. It was the nuclear-armed state's sixth satellite launch attempt, and the first since 2016 and would have been North Korea’s first spy satellite in orbit. North Korea's National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) will investigate the "serious defects" and take action to overcome them before conducting a second launch as soon as possible, KCNA said. The launch of the satellite, meanwhile, caused panic and a flurry of activity in South Korean capital Seoul as air raid sirens blared and city authorities asked citizens to be prepared for evacuation before saying that the evacuation order was 'incorrectly issued'. The text alert that was initially sent read, "Citizens, please prepare to evacuate and allow children and the elderly to evacuate first." Missile alert warning system activated in Japan Japan activated its missile alert warning system for the southern region of Okinawa soon after the North Korean launch. "Missile launch. Missile launch. North Korea appears to have launched a missile. Please take shelters inside buildings or underground," said the alert tweeted by the prime minister’s office and carried on national broadcaster NHK. The official English language Twitter handle of Japan PMO said in its tweets that a 'suspected ballistic missile' has been fired by North Korea and that 'it will possibly land in the area around Okinawa'. But around 30 minutes later, the government tweeted that the alert was being cancelled. "It is expected that the missile reported earlier will not come to Japan. The call for evacuation is lifted," it said. News agency Yonhap quoted South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff assaying that the projectile flew over the Yellow Sea and didn't affect the Seoul metropolitan area. Officials from the United States, Japan, South Korea held a phone call and “strongly condemned" the launch, Japan’s foreign ministry said. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the military was conducting operation to recover parts of the space launch vehicle. The military shared pictures of debris pulled from the water. North Korea had earlier given indications that it intends to launch a spy satellite. On Tuesday, North Korea said that the satellite would be "indispensable to tracking, monitoring... and coping with in advance in real time the dangerous military acts of the US and its vassal forces". The North had criticised US-South Korea joint military exercises, including the one going on right now. According to North Korean state media, one of country's top military officials said that Pyongyang felt "the need to expand reconnaissance and information means and improve various defensive and offensive weapons." However, since long-range rockets and space launchers share the same technology, analysts say developing the ability to put a satellite in orbit would provide Pyongyang with cover for testing banned intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). In 2012 and 2016, Pyongyang tested ballistic missiles that it called satellite launches. Both flew over Japan's southern Okinawa region. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

North Korea military spy satellite launch fails, crashes into sea; Pyongyang vows second attempt soon

The South Korean military said on Wednesday (May 31) that it had located and was salvaging a suspected part of the North Korean spy satellite that crashed soon after launch because of a rocket failure.

The South Korean military said on Wednesday (May 31) that it had located and was salvaging a suspected part of the North Korean spy satellite that crashed soon after launch because of a rocket failure. "At around 08:05 today, our military identified an object presumed to be part of North Korea's claimed 'Space Launch Vehicle' in waters 200km (124 miles) west of Eocheong Island and is salvaging it," Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said, the news agency AFP reported. The military also released images of a part of the spy satellite. The images showed a large-barrel-like metal structure with some thin pipes and wires at the bottom, which the military said it salvaged in waters 200 kilometres west of Eocheong Island. The new "Chollima-1" satellite launch rocket failed because of instability in the engine and fuel system, according to the state news agency KCNA. This flight was North Korea's sixth satellite launch attempt and the first since 2016. Panic in Seoul after spy satellite launch Air raid sirens and mobile phone alerts calling for evacuations caused panic among residents of South Korea's capital city of Seoul after North Korea launched its spy satellite. The sirens started at 6.32 am (2132 GMT Tuesday) as the city issued a "Presidential Alert" asking citizens to prepare for a potential evacuation, the news agency Reuters reported. Shortly after, a second mobile alert came calling for evacuation which remained in place for at least 10 minutes until the administration said it had been sent in error. Speaking to Reuters, Seoul resident Lee Juyeon said, "I was so panicked. Nine-one-one lines were busy and the internet was slow." Juyeon, who has a nine-month-old child, also said, "So without knowing what was really happening, I was about to head down to a basement wearing a wrap carrier with my baby." Though residents are used to living in the shadow of threats from North Korea, an element of complacency has crept in among many in the city about the risks and how to respond. ALSO READ | Explained: When world was battling pandemic, why North Korea was busy sealing borders with China and Russia Reuters reported that some office workers in Seoul's central district said they had considered during their commute how to respond to the alarm, such as by withdrawing cash or hoarding water. "I understand it was a mistake, but even if it has to be simple, that alert message should have said what went on and where to go," Kim Jong-hyun, 48, said on his way to work after dropping off his child at school. On Wednesday morning, "alerts" and "evacuation" were the most trending topics on Twitter in South Korea. N. Korea launch violates UN resolutions: Japan Japan, which briefly activated its missile alert warning system for the Okinawa region after Pyongyang's military spy satellite launch, that such a launch by North Korea violated the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. "We cannot tolerate this kind of launch whether it is a satellite or anything else, as it violates UN resolutions," Japan's Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters. Earlier, the Prime Minister's office tweeted, "Missile launch. Missile launch. North Korea appears to have launched a missile. Please take shelter inside buildings or underground." But half an hour later, the government tweeted that the alert was being cancelled. "It is expected that the missile reported earlier will not come to Japan. The call for evacuation is lifted," it said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

South Korea ‘salvaging debris’ of crashed North  Korean military spy satellite

The construction of a satellite launching station in North Korea has hit a “new level of urgency" as it is reported to be preparation for a launch, stated a US-based think tank in a report, which cited commercial satellite imagery.

North Korea said that its first military spy satellite has been completed and leader Kim Jong Un has given approval for final preparations to launch it and successfully place it in orbit, without announcing a date.

On Monday, commercial satellite imagery showed that construction of a new launch pad is progressing steadily in a coastal area east of North Korea’s Sohae Satellite Launching Station and going forward at a "remarkable pace", stated 38 North, a Washington-based programme which monitors North Korea, in its report on Thursday.

"While the key components of the Sohae complex have been undergoing modernisation and expansion over the past year, this uptick in activity suggests a new level of urgency in making the site ready to accommodate satellite launches," the report stated.&nbsp;

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<h2>Features of the new launch pad</h2>

The new launch pad is likely to feature a &nbsp;rail-mounted assembly structure which is likely to be used for lifting a rocket into place, a tunnel for funnelling flames away and lighting towers.&nbsp;

If the launch pad will be used to service liquid-fuelled rockets, then the structure will most likely need additional infrastructure, added the report.&nbsp;

At the main launch pad of Sohae, crews appear to have made modifications to the gantry tower, while they continue to work on a storage for fuel and oxidizer.

A new area, from where VIPs are likely to observe launches has also been reportedly completed, stated 38 North.&nbsp;

Analysts stated that the military satellite will be part of the efforts of the nuclear-armed state to enhance surveillance technology, which includes drones as well as improve its ability to hit targets during conflicts.&nbsp;

Several attempts have been made by North Korea to launch "earth observation" satellites among which two have been placed successfully in orbit, the last one happening in 2016.

International observers stated that the satellite appeared to be under control, however, there was lingering debate over whether any transmissions were sent by them.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;North Korea's first spy missile gets final nod from Kim Jong-Un

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<h2>South Korea gears up for launch of space rocket</h2>

South Korea is set to launch its homegrown Nuri space rocket on Thursday after it was cancelled earlier because of technical glitches, stated the science ministry.&nbsp;

"The engineers have modified the control programme, and we finally confirmed through repeated tests that it works stably," said Deputy Science Minister Oh Tae-seok at a press briefing, adding that vehicle itself did not have any problems.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The construction of a satellite launching station in North Korea has hit a “new level of urgency" as it is reported to be preparation for a launch, stated a US-based think tank in a report, which cited commercial satellite imagery.

The construction of a satellite launching station in North Korea has hit a “new level of urgency" as it is reported to be preparation for a launch, stated a US-based think tank in a report, which cited commercial satellite imagery. North Korea said that its first military spy satellite has been completed and leader Kim Jong Un has given approval for final preparations to launch it and successfully place it in orbit, without announcing a date. On Monday, commercial satellite imagery showed that construction of a new launch pad is progressing steadily in a coastal area east of North Korea’s Sohae Satellite Launching Station and going forward at a "remarkable pace", stated 38 North, a Washington-based programme which monitors North Korea, in its report on Thursday. "While the key components of the Sohae complex have been undergoing modernisation and expansion over the past year, this uptick in activity suggests a new level of urgency in making the site ready to accommodate satellite launches," the report stated. ALSO READ | US, South Korea announce new North Korea sanctions on IT workers Features of the new launch pad The new launch pad is likely to feature a rail-mounted assembly structure which is likely to be used for lifting a rocket into place, a tunnel for funnelling flames away and lighting towers. If the launch pad will be used to service liquid-fuelled rockets, then the structure will most likely need additional infrastructure, added the report. At the main launch pad of Sohae, crews appear to have made modifications to the gantry tower, while they continue to work on a storage for fuel and oxidizer. A new area, from where VIPs are likely to observe launches has also been reportedly completed, stated 38 North. Analysts stated that the military satellite will be part of the efforts of the nuclear-armed state to enhance surveillance technology, which includes drones as well as improve its ability to hit targets during conflicts. Several attempts have been made by North Korea to launch "earth observation" satellites among which two have been placed successfully in orbit, the last one happening in 2016. International observers stated that the satellite appeared to be under control, however, there was lingering debate over whether any transmissions were sent by them. WATCH | North Korea's first spy missile gets final nod from Kim Jong-Un South Korea gears up for launch of space rocket South Korea is set to launch its homegrown Nuri space rocket on Thursday after it was cancelled earlier because of technical glitches, stated the science ministry. "The engineers have modified the control programme, and we finally confirmed through repeated tests that it works stably," said Deputy Science Minister Oh Tae-seok at a press briefing, adding that vehicle itself did not have any problems. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Construction at North Korea’s satellite launch pad hits ‘new urgency’: Report

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has inspected the country’s first military spy satellite, giving the go-ahead for what state media described as a "future action plan".

North Korea's first spy missile gets final nod from Kim Jong-Un