North Korea’s second attempt to place a spy satellite in orbit failed on Thursday (Aug 23) after the rocket booster experienced a problem during its third stage, state media reported, as space authorities vowed to try again in October.
Its first try in May also ended in failure when the new Chollima-1 rocket crashed into the sea
The pre-dawn launch came in the first hours of an eight-day window that North Korea had given for the attempt.
The nuclear-armed country has been seeking to place what would be its first military spy satellite into orbit, saying it eventually plans a fleet of satellites to monitor moves by US and South Korean troops
The launch prompted an emergency warning in Japan just before 4am local time (3am, Singapore time) over the J-alert broadcasting system, telling residents of the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa to take cover indoors.
About 20 minutes following the alert, the Japanese government followed up with a notice that the missile had passed through towards the Pacific Ocean and lifted the emergency warning.
In a televised press conference, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the repeated missile launches were a threat to regional security.