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North Korea has announced that its second attempt to launch a spy satellite has failed, but the country has vowed to make a third attempt in October. The North’s space agency, using the new-type carrier rocket Chollima-1, attempted to put the reconnaissance satellite Malligyong-1 into orbit. While the first and second stages of the rocket were normal, an error in the emergency blasting system during the third-stage flight caused the launch to fail. The space agency has stated that it will study what went wrong with the launch and make necessary improvements for the third attempt.

Earlier on the same day, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff detected the rocket flying above international waters off the Korean Peninsula’s west coast after its liftoff at the North’s main space launch center, the northwestern Tongchang-ri area. This launch comes after a failed attempt in late May, during which a North Korean rocket carrying a spy satellite crashed into the sea. North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, had vowed to make a second attempt following the first failure.

North Korea’s repeated missile testing and satellite launches have raised tensions and violated U.N. Security Council resolutions banning the use of ballistic missile technology. The U.S., South Korea, and other countries have condemned these actions. Additionally, South Korea’s spy agency has observed signs of North Korea preparing for the test-flights of intercontinental ballistic missiles.

While North Korea claims that its weapons testing is aimed at bolstering its nuclear deterrent, experts believe that the country is trying to modernize its weapons arsenal to gain leverage and concessions from the U.S. The acquisition of a spy satellite is among the high-tech weapons systems that North Korea’s leader aims to acquire. Despite previous successful satellite launches, there is no evidence that these satellites have transmitted imagery back to North Korea. However, they are believed to have improved the country’s long-range missile technology.

The U.N. Security Council imposed economic sanctions on North Korea in previous years for its satellite launches, viewing them as covers for long-range ballistic missile tests. However, the council has been divided in adopting further sanctions due to the opposition of veto-wielding members Russia and China.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula remains tense, especially with the ongoing joint military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea, which North Korea sees as an invasion rehearsal. North Korea has expressed concerns about the increasing danger of a nuclear war and has stated the need for “offensive, overwhelming” steps in response to the current situation.

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