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Voltaire Staff

North Korean rocket carrying spy satellite explodes after launch


North Korea's ambitious plans to enhance its surveillance of the US and South Korea took a backseat when a rocket intended to deploy the country’s second spy satellite exploded shortly after lift-off on Monday, state media reported.


The launch occurred just hours after the leaders of South Korea, China, and Japan held their first trilateral meeting in more than four years in Seoul, reported Yahoo News. 


The launch drew condemnation from neighbouring countries, as the United Nations prohibits North Korea from conducting these launches, viewing them as tests for long-range missile technology.


It is unusual for North Korea to conduct such actions during high-level regional diplomacy involving China, its key ally and economic partner.


North Korea's state media reported that a rocket carrying a spy satellite exploded shortly after lift-off from the main north-western space centre. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the rocket failed during i