10:14, 31 May 2023

YEREVAN, MAY 31, ARMENPRESS. A North Korean satellite launch on Wednesday ended in failure, sending the booster and payload plunging into the sea, North Korean state media said, and the South's military said it had recovered parts of the launch vehicle, Reuters reports.

The new "Chollima-1" satellite launch rocket failed because of instability in the engine and fuel system, Reuters reported citing North Korean state news agency KCNA.

The flight was the North Korea's sixth satellite launch attempt, and the first since 2016. It was supposed to put North Korea's first spy satellite in orbit.

It prompted emergency alerts and brief evacuation warnings in parts of South Korea and Japan. The notices were withdrawn with no danger or damage reported.

The rocket plunged into the sea "after losing thrust due to the abnormal starting of the second-stage engine," KCNA reported.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said North Korea's rocket disappeared from radar above the Yellow Sea and did not make it into space, and added the government had no further information to share now.

"We strongly condemn North Korea's actions," he said. Tokyo lodged a complaint to Pyongyang through diplomatic channels in Beijing, he said.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the satellite launch, a spokesperson said.

He said any launch by Pyongyang using ballistic missile technology was contrary to U.N. Security Council resolutions.

KCNA reported that Pyongyang plans to carry out a second launch as soon as possible.