SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The satellite that North Korea failed to put into orbit was not advanced enough to perform military reconnaissance from space as it claimed, the U.S. said Wednesday. South Korean military after recovering and studying the wreckage.
North Korea had attempted to launch its first spy satellite in late May, but the long-range rocket carrying it plunged into waters off the west coast of the Korean peninsula shortly after liftoff. The satellite was to be part of a space-based reconnaissance system.
South Korea mobilized navy ships, planes and divers to recover debris from the rocket and satellite in a 36-day operation that ended on Wednesday, heads of state said. Southern Joint Chiefs in a statement.
“Many parts” and “keys” of the rocket and satellite were recovered and South Korean and American experts who jointly examined them concluded that the satellite was not at all capable of carrying out military reconnaissance work , according to the press release.
North Korea did not immediately respond to South Korea’s announcement.
On the day the launch failed, North Korean state media said the rocket lost thrust as its first and second stages separated, then crashed into the sea. At a ruling party meeting last month, North Korea called the failed launch this year “the most serious shortcoming” and harshly criticized officials.
Senior North Korean officials have repeatedly promised to attempt a second launch after learning what was wrong with the failed launch.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said acquiring a military spy satellite is crucial to boosting his country’s defense capability. He said North Korea also needs to introduce other high-tech weapon systems such as multi-warhead nuclear missiles, solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear-powered submarines.
Months before its failed satellite launch, North Korea launched a test satellite and released photos showing South Korean cities seen from space. Some civilian experts said at the time that the photos were too coarse for surveillance purposes and were likely only able to recognize large targets like warships at sea or military installations on the ground.
North Korea had responded to this skepticism by saying there was no reason to use a sophisticated camera for a test.
The United States, South Korea and others have denounced North Korea’s rocket launch as a security risk and a violation of UN Security Council resolutions banning the use by the land of ballistic missile technology. But further sanctions are unlikely since permanent council members Russia and China oppose further action.