North Korea’s bid for glory ends in failure as missile crashes

A SATELLITE launch North Korea had hailed as a moment of national pride ended in failure when the rocket disintegrated over the Yellow Sea.

The international community condemned today’s failed launch, which was deemed a covert test of missile technology.

The episode is a setback for new leader Kim Jong-un, whose government had projected the satellite as a show of strength amid North Korea’s persistent economic hardship.

Kim is solidifying power following the death of his father, longtime leader Kim Jong-il, four months ago.

The UN Security Council said it deplored the launch, saying it violated two council resolutions.

In a rare move, Pyongyang acknowledged that the rocket did not deliver a satellite, but it also pressed ahead with grandiose propaganda in praise of the ruling Kim family.

The United States and South Korea declared the early morning launch a failure minutes after the rocket shot out from the North’s west coast. North Korea acknowledged some four hours later in an announcement broadcast on state TV that the satellite the rocket was carrying did not enter orbit.

North Korea had held up the launch as a scientific achievement and even a gift for its late founder, Kim Il-sung, two days before the 100th anniversary of his birth.

It pressed ahead even as world leaders vowed to take action in the UN Security Council against what they called a flagrant violation of international resolutions prohibiting North Korea from developing its nuclear and missile programmes.

The rocket’s destruction suggests the country has yet to master the technology needed to build long-range missiles.

However concerns remain over North Korea’s nuclear programme amid reports that it may be planning an atomic test soon.

Kim Jong-un has been given several important titles intended to strengthen his rule this week. Hours after the failed launch, state media said he was named first chairman of the powerful National Defence Commission during a meeting of the Supreme People’s Assembly.

Kim Jong-il, who ruled the country in his capacity as chairman of the commission, was given the title of “chairman for eternity”.

Outsiders, meanwhile, focused on the launch, which was condemned by the foreign ministers of the Group of Eight industrialised nations meeting in Washington, including Russia.

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon said the launch “is in direct violation” of Security Council sanctions “and threatens regional stability”.

The UN Security Council, said in a statement after a closed meeting yesterday that members agreed to continue consultations “on an appropriate response”.

US ambassador Susan Rice, the current council president, refused to speculate on whether a response might include new sanctions against North Korea. The council imposed sanctions against North Korea after its first nuclear test in 2006 and stepped up sanctions after its second test in 2009.

“We think a credible reaction is important,” Ms Rice said.

Washington said it was suspending plans to contribute food aid to the North in exchange for a rollback of its nuclear programs.

White House spokesman Jay Carney also said on Thursday before the launch that “the clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions that a launch of a ballistic missile would represent makes it virtually impossible for us to go ahead with” the agreed-upon package of food aid to North Korea.