South Korea says its neighbour has launched a “space-launch vehicle”. It comes after North Korea announced plans to launch its first military reconnaissance satellite.
North Korea has attempted to launch its first military spy satellite – sparking emergency alerts in neighbouring South Korea and in Japan.
Air raid sirens sounded off across South Korea’s capital, Seoul, on Wednesday morning, while Japan also issued a missile warning, following the launch of a rocket from North Korea’s northwestern Tongchang-ri area.
It comes after Pyongyang announced plans to launch its first military spy satellite – which it said would be used to monitor US activity.
The country’s state-controlled news agency KCNA reported on Wednesday that the launch of the satellite had failed and that the rocket had crashed into the Yellow Sea.
It said officials would investigate the “grave” defects – believed to have involved the rocket’s engine and fuel system – and that a second launch would take place soon.
On Wednesday, the US condemned the launch attempt – which it said involved the use of ballistic missile technology – and that Joe Biden and his security team were assessing the situation in coordination with allies.
South Korea’s military described Wednesday’s rocket by its neighbour as a “space-launch vehicle”.
It also said that it had recorded an “abnormal flight” before the rocket plunged into the sea.
Officials in South Korea’s capital of Seoul sent alerts over public speakers and smartphones for residents to prepare for evacuation following the launch.