US Condemns North Korea's Launch Of Reconnaissance Satellite

North Korea launched a reconnaissance satellite (photo: dock. KCNA)

JAKARTA North Korea attempted to launch a reconnaissance satellite into orbit on Saturday, May 27. Although the satellite named Malligyong-1-1 failed to launch, the satellite launch attempt was still criticized by US officials. The Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) confirmed that Malligyong-1-1 failed to launch because the rocket used exploded. After a preliminary inspection, the preparation committee for the new-type satellite mission said that the rocket engine was experiencing a problem. "The field center office of the preparation committee made an inaccurate conclusion that the cause of the accident was due to the reliability of the operation of the newly developed liquid oxygen and petroleum engine," wrote KCNA on its official website. The day after Malligyong-1-1 took off, the US State Department told The Korea Times that the launch violated orders from the United Nations Security Council (PBB) for using ballistic missile technology. "AS condemns the launch of the DPRK (Kore's Democratic People's Republic) on 27 May, which combines the technology directly related to the DPRK ballistic missile program and violates several UN DK resolutions," said a spokesman for the department. The US plans to send a strong signal that the state's actions were wrong. Jung Pak, a senior US official for North Korea, has consulted with South Korea and Japan to discuss further the launch. "We will continue to work closely with the international community to send a strong signal to the DPRK that their actions will only increase isolation because it will undermine stability and prosperity in the Korean Peninsula," explained the spokesman.

For the US, launches that use ballistic missile technology are a form of blatant violation. The launch of this reconnaissance satellite is considered at risk and disrupts security stability in North Korea and its surrounding region. Given the poor impact of using ballistic missile technology, the US invites other countries to participate in condemning North Korea's actions. The US plans to urge North Korea to join in serious conversations. "We urge all countries to denounce unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles," the spokesman said. "(we) pressure the DPRK to engage in serious dialogue."