Following a comprehensive 36-day retrieval operation, South Korea's military has concluded that the satellite North Korea attempted to launch in May was not technologically advanced enough for its intended military reconnaissance purpose. This assessment comes after meticulous analysis of the wreckage recovered from the failed launch, involving both South Korean and U.S. experts.

The failed launch, which occurred in late May, saw the rocket carrying the satellite plunge into the sea west of the Korean Peninsula. North Korea had touted the satellite as a crucial component of its space-based reconnaissance system, designed to counter perceived security threats from South Korea and the United States.

The South Korean military deployed a significant recovery effort, utilizing navy ships, aircraft, and divers to retrieve debris from the rocket and satellite. The subsequent joint analysis by South Korean and U.S. experts determined the satellite lacked the necessary capabilities for military reconnaissance.

North Korea has not yet issued a response to this announcement. The failed launch was previously acknowledged by North Korean state media, attributing the failure to a loss of thrust after stage separation. At a subsequent party meeting, the incident was labeled as the "most serious" shortcoming of the year, leading to criticism of those responsible.

This image, released by South Korea's Defense Ministry, showcases a recovered component believed to be from the North Korean space-launch vehicle.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has repeatedly stressed the strategic importance of a military spy satellite for national defense. He has also emphasized the need for other advanced weaponry, including multi-warhead nuclear missiles, solid-fueled ICBMs, and nuclear-powered submarines.

Months prior to the failed launch, North Korea tested another satellite and released images purportedly showing South Korean cities from space. These images were deemed by some civilian experts as too low-resolution for effective surveillance, suggesting they could likely only identify large targets like warships or military installations. North Korea countered this assessment by stating that a sophisticated camera was unnecessary for the test.

While the U.S., South Korea, and other nations condemned the launch as a security risk and a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, further sanctions are unlikely due to opposition from Russia and China.