North Korean rocket carrying its 2nd spy satellite explodes shortly after launch

By HYUNG-JIN KIM, KIM TONG-HYUNG and MARI YAMAGUCHI
Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea says its attempt to put another spy satellite into orbit has failed. State media said the rocket carrying the satellite exploded after liftoff Monday evening due to a suspected engine problem. The failed launch came hours after leaders of South Korea, China and Japan met in Seoul in their first trilateral meeting in more than four years. It’s highly unusual for North Korea to take provocative action when its major ally China is engaged in high-level diplomacy in the region. The launch drew rebukes from the North’s neighbors because the U.N. bans North Korea from conducting any such launches, viewing them as covers for testing long-range missile technology.