10 years after pivotal launch, North Korea’s space odyssey is just beginning



Analysis 10 years after pivotal launch, North Korea’s space odyssey is just beginning DPRK’s space program is linked to military and could focus more on cyber and electronic warfare in future, experts say Shreyas Reddy December 15, 2022 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON North Korean propaganda emphasizes the country's space ambitions \| Image: KCTV Ten years ago this week, a tall white rocket bearing the North Korean flag roared to life on a launch pad on the northwestern coast, soaring upward in the DPRK’s first successful attempt to place a satellite into orbit. The fact that a malfunction appeared to cause the Kwangmyongsong-3-2 to tumble in its orbit made little difference to Pyongyang’s propagandists, who have elevated the launch into a triumphant achievement of Kim Jong Un’s leadership, “an event that put the space science and technology of the country on a world level.” Ten years ago this week, a tall white rocket bearing the North Korean flag roared to life on a launch pad on the northwestern coast, soaring upward in the DPRK’s first successful attempt to place a satellite into orbit. The fact that a malfunction appeared to cause the Kwangmyongsong-3-2 to tumble in its orbit made little difference to Pyongyang’s propagandists, who have elevated the launch into a triumphant achievement of Kim Jong Un’s leadership, “an event that put the space science and technology of the country on a world level.” Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Analysis

10 years after pivotal launch, North Korea’s space odyssey is just beginning

DPRK’s space program is linked to military and could focus more on cyber and electronic warfare in future, experts say

Shreyas Reddy December 15, 2022

10 years after pivotal launch, North Korea’s space odyssey is just beginning

North Korean propaganda emphasizes the country's space ambitions | Image: KCTV

Ten years ago this week, a tall white rocket bearing the North Korean flag roared to life on a launch pad on the northwestern coast, soaring upward in the DPRK’s first successful attempt to place a satellite into orbit.

The fact that a malfunction appeared to cause the Kwangmyongsong-3-2 to tumble in its orbit made little difference to Pyongyang’s propagandists, who have elevated the launch into a triumphant achievement of Kim Jong Un’s leadership, “an event that put the space science and technology of the country on a world level.”

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10 years after pivotal launch, North Korea’s space odyssey is just beginning

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