The in-flight explosion of a North Korean ballistic missile launched on Mar. 16 appears to have occurred while testing a new engine with liquid fuel ampoules. Though the test ended in failure, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reportedly encouraged those involved with the launch, telling them to look toward the future.
In a telephone conversation with Daily NK on Wednesday, a Daily NK source in North Korea said the missile launched last week was meant to test a reconnaissance satellite. More specifically, it aimed to test a satellite and launch vehicle fired from a mobile launcher.
Prior to this, North Korea launched ballistic missiles from a transporter erector launcher (TEL) from Pyongyang’s Sunan International Airport on Feb. 27 and Mar. 5. Experts say these launches tested the capabilities of the Hwasong-17, a new ICBM. Last week’s launch appears to be a continuation of these tests.
The source said the missile exploded due to an engine problem. More specifically, he said a technical problem arose while testing a new engine structure with fuel ampoules and auxiliary engines.
Ampoules enable long-term storage of toxic liquid rocket fuel by coating the fuel tanks and piping with glass. Should North Korea perfect the technology, it would drastically reduce fueling time, making launches difficult to detect ahead of time. North Korea also changed the engine structure by adding auxiliary engines to boost the missile’s range, but the test launch ended in failure.
The source said North Korea is analyzing the exact causes of the failure and retooling for more launches.
The source said the authorities are giving serious thought to the next launch. They plan to conduct more tests only after scrutinizing the causes of the previous failure and making development adjustments.
However, he noted that the authorities plan to continue focusing on satellite launches. He said the government is quietly making plans to launch three or more rockets over the next four years.
Meanwhile, the source said Kim has responded to the mid-flight explosion by encouraging those involved in the test, rather than rebuking them.
According to him, Kim reacted with little anger to the failure, telling developers that nothing goes perfectly the first time and that they should put their heads together again.
Kim apparently chose encouragement over rebukes to promote morale among key personnel involved in the development of defense, science and technology, a top priority of the North Korean leader. This suggests Kim is underscoring his “spirit of love for the people,” which places value on cultivating science and technology experts.
However, the authorities are in the midst of disciplining those deemed responsible for the failure, Kim’s words of encouragement notwithstanding.
The source said a committee composed of about 10 leading cadres from the Organization and Guidance Department, Justice Department, and Defense Industry Department, as well as technical experts, is investigating the failed test. He said they have yet to reach a conclusion, but the outlines of the punishments to follow will soon emerge.
Those responsible will likely face only light punishments, given the North Korean leader’s words of encouragement, the source speculated.
However, some North Koreans familiar with the failed launch reportedly worry that many people could face punishment, given past precedent.
The source said rumor of the failed launch has spread among a handful of families attached to the Academy of National Defense Science and the Second Economic Committee, as well as among residents of Pyongyang’s Sunan and Ryongsong districts. He said some people even remarked that the explosion “blew to heaven” a lot of Workers’ Party money.
He said many people are concerned, reminded of how so many people were sacked when the Taepodong-1 rocket blew up during launch in 1998. The source further noted that a lot of people worry that many individuals “could get hurt” once the committee reaches its conclusion.
North Korea launched the Taepodong-1, the country’s first multistage rocket, in 1998. However, the first and second stage failed to separate with the third stage ignition. The country was trying to launch its Kwangmyongsong-1 satellite into orbit with the launch.
