North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged to continue the country's development of military spy satellites despite Monday's failure to put another into orbit, saying the possession of space reconnaissance capabilities is "inevitable" to protect Pyongyang's sovereignty, according to state-run media.
During his visit Tuesday to the Academy of Defense Sciences to mark the 60th anniversary of its founding, Kim said the recent satellite launch failed "due to the self-destruct system" triggered by "an abnormality in the first stage engine," according to the official Korean Central News Agency.
He encouraged defense scientists, saying learning from failure is a prerequisite for success.
"It is through failure that we learn more and develop further," he said, adding those engaged in the satellite development will not "become intimidated, but will strive to achieve greater results."
Kim emphasized that having a military reconnaissance satellite "helps our nation further strengthen self-defense deterrence" amid "serious changes" occurring in the national security environment due to "U.S. military actions and various provocative acts," KCNA said Wednesday.
The leader maintained Monday's satellite launch complied with international laws as Pyongyang issued a prior warning to ensure there was no impact on the safety of neighboring countries.
The launch using ballistic missile technology triggered international condemnation as it was conducted despite calls from neighboring countries for North Korea to refrain.
KCNA said earlier an "accident" occurred during the launch of the military reconnaissance satellite Malligyong-1-1 and attributed it to the "reliability of operation of the newly developed liquid oxygen plus petroleum engine."
North Korea last launched a reconnaissance satellite in November, successfully putting it into orbit, and has since said it planned to launch three more this year. The country is banned by U.N. Security Council resolutions from conducting any launches using ballistic missile technology.
