Military Reconnaissance Satellite No. 2 Airborne Explosion, Speech the Next Day
South's Response Drill Conducted, "Unforgivable Reckless Act"
Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, reiterated his insistence that the launch of a military reconnaissance satellite is justified and labeled the South Korean military's response training as an "unforgivable reckless act." North Korea's satellite launch violates the United Nations Security Council resolution that prohibits "any launch using ballistic missile technology."
According to the Korean Central News Agency on the 29th, Chairman Kim visited the National Defense Science Institute, which celebrated its 60th anniversary the day before, the day after the failure of the launch of the second reconnaissance satellite. He described the possession of reconnaissance satellites as a "struggle to protect autonomous rights" and an "indispensable prerequisite task for national sovereignty and legitimate self-defense." He particularly claimed that North Korea complied with international regulations by notifying the launch plan in advance and argued that "(the South) committed a direct challenge to us through a hysterical frenzy and military demonstrations."
Kim Jong-un, congratulatory visit to the National Defense Science Institute on its 60th anniversary [Photo by Yonhap News]
Chairman Kim said, "The South Korean puppets have been spouting absurd arguments calling the reconnaissance satellite launch a provocation, claiming it is part of showing their strong capability and will, while conducting attack formation flight and strike training." He added, "Daring to threaten our sovereign exercise area with war weapons over a single rash word or action is clearly a very dangerous provocation that cannot be tolerated, a blatant infringement of our national rights that enrages us, and an unforgivable reckless act," condemning the South.
Earlier, North Korea announced the launch of a military reconnaissance satellite in the early morning of the 27th, coinciding with the scheduled Korea-Japan-China summit. The South Korean military began response training. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from 1 p.m. that day, about 20 fighter jets including Air Force F-35A, F-15K, and KF-16 conducted attack formation flight and strike training south of the no-fly line (NFL) in the central front area. North Korea claims this as a "provocative act."
Chairman Kim also publicly mentioned the failure of the second reconnaissance satellite launch in front of scientists, technicians, and researchers, delivering a message of encouragement rather than reprimand. Unlike the failures of the first reconnaissance satellite launch in May and August last year, which were not disclosed internally, this time Kim personally announced it. He said, "This launch failed due to the self-destruct system triggered by an abnormality in the first-stage engine, and although we did not achieve the intended result, we will not be frightened or discouraged by failure but will strive harder, learning more and developing further through failure," showing a comforting attitude.
Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un was accompanied on this visit by Ri Pyong Chol and Pak Jong Chon, vice chairmen of the Workers' Party Central Military Commission; Jo Chun Ryong, secretary of the Party Central Committee; Kim Jong Sik, first deputy director of the Party Central Committee; and Jang Chang Ha, director of the Missile General Bureau.
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