Unsuccessful Satellite Launch: North Korea Plans Another Attempt

Synopsis

The recent launch of North Korea’s first military spy satellite resulted in failure, raising global speculation about ensuing impacts. Leader Kim Jong Un announced a second attempt to launch shortly after, despite growing tensions with the United States and South Korea. 

Rolling Updates

Competing Narratives

U.S. Media

• North Korea described space-based reconnaissance as crucial for monitoring U.S. military exercises with South Korea.
• Speculation about the condition of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un due to his heavy smoking, apparent weight gain, and family history of cardiovascular problems.
• South Korea recovered a piece believed to be part of the crashed North Korean rocket.
• President Biden spoke about the unacceptability of a nuclear attack by North Korea against the U.S. or allies during a joint press conference with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Pacific Region Media

• Pyongyang does not have a functioning satellite in space, and developing a military spy satellite is a top priority for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
• Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un's sister, mentioned that North Korea will soon put a military spy satellite into orbit.
• There are concerns about potential violations of UN sanctions and previous satellite launches being disguised tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles.
• Japan puts its ballistic missile defenses on alert and warns of shooting down any projectile threatening its territory.
• Japan is preparing to intercept any North Korean missile entering its territory.
• North Korea informed Japan of its intention to launch a satellite between May 31 and June 11.
• North Korea is constructing a satellite launch pad with new urgency.
• North Korea's rocket experienced an abnormal flight before falling into the waters, according to South Korea's military. 

Insights from Kudzu Narrative Intelligence

• The most prominent narrative themes amplified by these sources in U.S. media include:
  • North Korea Spy Satellite
  • South Korea Commercial Satellite
  • North Korea Rocket Failure
  • South Korea Surveillance System
  • Kim Jong Un Weight Gain

• This story reached its peak in the media on May 31st. 

• Left-center bias prevails with 110 sources in U.S. Media, compared to right-center bias with only 69 sources. 

Note: Kudzu Narrative Intelligence briefs update every few hours. Very likely, the Narrative Analysis data visualization depicted in the graphic above will have changed as well.