JCS: "Strong currents and poor underwater visibility"
South Korea and US to conduct joint investigation after recovering projectile
Military authorities ended the operation on the 4th, the fifth day since the North Korean space launch vehicle 'Chollima-1' fired by North Korea fell into the West Sea, without recovering the debris. They succeeded in partially tying high-tension ropes to the main body debris, but due to unfavorable conditions, the operation was suspended and scheduled to resume on the 5th.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff explained in a press notice to reporters around 5 p.m. that "the current velocity at the site is 2 knots (3.7 km/h), and underwater visibility is poor, causing difficulties," and added, "We plan to conduct the salvage operation tomorrow considering the site conditions." No new debris was found other than the debris initially located on the 31st of last month. A JCS official stated, "Naval vessels and aircraft are conducting search operations at the drop point."
Object presumed to be part of the 'North Korean space launch vehicle.' [Photo by Joint Chiefs of Staff]
On the 1st, the Korean Central News Agency released footage of the launch of the satellite carrier rocket "Cheollima-1," which carried North Korea's first military reconnaissance satellite "Manlilkyong-1," launched from the West Sea Satellite Launching Station in Dongchang-ri, Cholsan County, North Pyongan Province, on the 31st of last month.
Earlier, the military deployed the Special Sea Salvage Unit (SSU) to a depth of 75 meters in the sea about 200 km west of Eocheongdo, Gunsan, Jeonbuk, the area where the launch vehicle fell, on the morning of the previous day. Deep-sea divers have been working to tie ropes to the 15-meter-long debris resting on the seabed. The military plans to lift the debris onto the ship without damage and ultimately transfer it to the Pyeongtaek Naval Base for investigation. As on the previous day, underwater visibility was poor, and the calm tide period was limited, preventing prolonged work.
Analysis of photos released by North Korea estimates the total length of Chollima-1 to be about 29 to 30 meters. The debris identified in the West Sea is likely to be the form where the second and third stage propulsion units are attached. In this case, the 'Manliryong-1,' which North Korea claims is a military reconnaissance satellite mounted on the upper part of the launch vehicle, might be found.
Currently, several ships, including the 3,500-ton surface salvage ships Tongyeong (ATS-II) and Gwangyang (ATS-II), and the 3,200-ton submarine rescue ship Cheonghaejin (ASR), are deployed in the waters to continue salvage and search for new debris.
Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin are meeting on the 3rd (local time) at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore ahead of the ROK-U.S.-Japan Defense Ministers' Meeting. [Photo by Ministry of National Defense]
South Korea and the United States have agreed to jointly investigate if the South Korean military recovers the North Korean launch vehicle. Minister Lee Jong-seop made this decision after meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin during the 20th Asia Security Conference (Shangri-La Dialogue) held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore the previous day. The two countries also formed a joint investigation team when they examined the debris of North Korea's long-range rocket Unha-3, recovered from the West Sea in December 2012.
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