Russian Experts Assist North Korea’s Space Program Before Satellite Launch Mishap: Report

North Korea's most recent attempt to launch a satellite ended in a fiery explosion in the sky on Monday evening. South Korean media disclosed that Russia played a role in supporting Pyongyang's space program. Yonhap, a South Korean news agency, reported that a significant number of Russian experts traveled to North Korea before the launch.

Launch Failure and Russian Involvement

On Monday, North Korea declared that its latest satellite launch concluded with the destruction of its rocket shortly after liftoff. This marked the third failure in the past four endeavors to place a satellite into orbit. Prior to the failed launch, South Korean news agency Yonhap revealed that Russian space experts had been dispatched to assist North Korea's space program. The report cited a senior defense official who chose to remain anonymous.

Yonhap mentioned that following Russian leader Vladimir Putin's offer to aid Pyongyang with its satellite launches last year, a substantial number of Russian technicians entered North Korea. The exact number of technicians, their arrival time, and the extent of their guidance to Pyongyang remain undisclosed. According to the senior South Korean defense official, the stringent standards upheld by the Russian experts might have caused a delay between North Korea's previous satellite launch and the preparations for the recent attempt.

Possible Technical Challenges and International Concerns

Yonhap's report indicated that North Korea's space rockets might be encountering difficulties with their second and third-stage engines, hinting at potential underlying problems within Pyongyang's space program. The explosion during Monday's launch transpired during the rocket's initial stage of flight. While North Korean state media attributed the failure to the rocket's new liquid oxygen and petroleum engine, they acknowledged the possibility of other contributing factors.

Amidst allegations from the US regarding arms trade with North Korea and involvement in the conflict in Ukraine, Russia's relationship with Pyongyang has faced scrutiny. South Korea previously asserted that Russian support facilitated North Korea's successful satellite launch in 2023. Despite Pyongyang's repeated satellite launches, concerns persist among the US and its allies, who have imposed sanctions in an attempt to curb North Korea's nuclear and space programs.

The US Indo-Pacific Command criticized Monday's launch, pointing out its connection to North Korea's ballistic missile program. The launch was deemed a violation of United Nations resolutions with the potential to disrupt regional security. The ongoing defiance displayed by North Korea through its missile and space activities underscores its resilience in the face of international restrictions.

Source: Business Insider

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By: mloh@businessinsider.com (Matthew Loh)
Title: Russian Experts Assist North Korea’s Space Program Before Satellite Launch Mishap: Report
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/russia-was-helping-north-korea-before-botched-satellite-launch-report-2024-5
Published Date: Tue, 28 May 2024 04:58:53 +0000