North Korea’s attempt to launch the Malligyong-1-1 reconnaissance satellite ended in a mid-air explosion on Monday night, attributed to issues with a newly developed liquid oxygen and oil engine.

The failed launch, which occurred hours after being criticized by Seoul and Tokyo, was captured on film by Japanese broadcaster NHK, showing a flaming projectile in the night sky that subsequently exploded.

North Korea had informed Japan of the planned launch earlier on Monday, following a successful satellite launch in November and two failed attempts last year.

Despite being barred by multiple UN resolutions from tests using ballistic technology, North Korea continues its efforts, which overlap significantly with ballistic missile development.

Seoul’s joint chiefs of staff reported detecting the satellite’s trajectory from the Tongchang-ri area in North Pyongan province at 22:44 local time on Monday, the Telegraph reported.

However, fragments of the projectile were detected in North Korean waters two minutes later. The US and South Korea are analyzing the event to determine if the satellite had an operational flight.

Japan confirmed the launch, briefly issuing an alert for residents of southern Okinawa prefecture to take cover, which was lifted minutes later.

This attempt followed the first trilateral summit between Seoul, Beijing, and Tokyo since 2019. North Korea’s successful launch of a reconnaissance satellite last November had already drawn international condemnation, with the US labeling it a “brazen violation” of UN sanctions.

Written by B.C. Begley