North Korean Media Mentions Nuriho for the First Time... Citing Foreign Media to Downplay as "Failure"

Chairman Kim Jong-un. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dong-hyun] North Korean media criticized the Korean launch vehicle Nuri (KSLV-II) for the first time, calling it a "failure."

North Korea's external propaganda outlet 'Tongil-ui Mea-ri' published an article on the 30th titled "South Korean experts and foreign media evaluate the Nuri launch as a failure."

In the article, the media quoted a researcher from the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, who described the launch as "an outright failure." The final goal of the Nuri launch was to place a satellite mock-up into orbit, and since it failed to achieve orbit insertion, claiming success is considered inappropriate.

The media also cited another aerospace expert's remarks, stating that "Nuri's technology is still about 10 to 20 years behind," and "there is a long way to go before proving launch capability and gaining competitiveness."

Additionally, the media quoted foreign media saying, "Although expectations for success were high, the ultimate failure means that South Korea's rocket research and development core processes are not yet complete." However, Tongil-ui Mea-ri did not specify which foreign media outlet was cited. This is the first time North Korea has made remarks regarding the Nuri launch.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.