Technology

North Korean Attempt to Launch Rocket Fails Miserably

North Korea’s slow march toward becoming a nuclear power suffered a humiliating setback today when the Communist dictatorship attempted to launch an Unha 3 rocket into space as a demonstration of its power. The rocket lasted about as long as your average five year old’s toy rocket before “falling to pieces,” according to these select reports aggregated by the tech site Gizmodo:

Update 3: ABC news reports the rocket launch has “failed,” according to unnamed US officials.[...]

Update 10: CNN relays Japan’s report that the rocket flew for “about a minute” before falling to pieces.[...]

And finally, this update:

North Koreas Attempt to Launch Rocket into Space Results in Embarrassing Failure for Kim Jon Un Regime

Update 11: This image is currently being broadcast on North Korean state television, which is a pretty accurate representation of today’s grand failure.

The schadenfreude involved is too delicious to pass up. However, this passage from a CNN story reinforces how deadly serious the entire enterprise appeared to be right up to the point where it became a complete failure:

Defying warnings from the international community, North Korea launched a long-range rocket on Friday, but it appears to have broken apart before escaping the earth’s atmosphere, officials said.

No element of the rocket reached space, said a U.S. official, who based that conclusion on data collected by the United States from its first few moments aloft.[...]

“This was supposed to be associated with (Kim Jong Un’s) ascension to power. So for this thing to fail … is incredibly embarrassing,” said Victor Cha, former director of Asian affairs for the U.S. National Security Council and now a Georgetown University professor.

Update:

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials say a rocket launched by North Korea failed moments after being fired, but the Obama administration still described the launch as a “provocative action” that threatens regional security. It said it has lost confidence in Pyongyang and would carry out its threat to halt a planned delivery of food aid to the communist country.

In a statement, White House spokesman Jay Carney said the actions of the North Korean regime were further isolating it from the international community.

“While this action is not surprising, given North Korea’s pattern of aggressive behavior, any missile activity by North Korea is of concern to the international community,” Carney said.

His statement came after the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command said the first stage of the North Korean rocket fell to the Yellow Sea and that the remaining stages failed.

North Korea had said for weeks it would launch a satellite over the East China Sea. The North says its satellite launch is not prohibited, and is, part of celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of the regime’s founder, the late Kim Il Sung. It claims it was a peaceful mission to place a satellite in space.

The U.S. and much of the rest of the world, however, consider it a test of a long-range missile.

An administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive developments, said the planned delivery of food aid to North Korea depended on monitoring agreements with Pyongyang that would ensure the assistance would reach the people of North Korea, not the elites and the military. The official said the U.S. now has no confidence those agreements can be implemented.

The U.N. Security Council, where the United States is currently serving in the rotating presidency, would meet on Friday morning to discuss the North Korean action, an official said.

But the U.S. is not expected to seek an additional Security Council resolution against North Korea. Another administration official said existing sanctions resolutions against North Korea are adequate and said their enforcement could be “ratcheted up.”

The administration believes U.S. sanctions against North Korea, particularly on its ability to obtain advanced electronics for guidance systems, have restricted its proliferation activities..

“North Korea’s long-standing development of missiles and pursuit of nuclear weapons have not brought it security – and never will,” Carney said in his statement. “North Korea will only show strength and find security by abiding by international law, living up to its obligations, and by working to feed its citizens, to educate its children and to win the trust of its neighbors.”

The North Korean action promptly injected itself into U.S. politics, with the Republican’s likely presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, accusing the Obama administration of “incompetence” that he said emboldened North Korea to launch the rocket.

“Instead of approaching Pyongyang from a position of strength, President Obama sought to appease the regime with a food-aid deal that proved to be as naïve as it was short-lived,” Romney said.

The launch erases gains the Obama administration had claimed in nudging the North Koreans back to international disarmament talks and leaves the problem of an unpredictable nuclear-equipped North Korea little changed from where Obama found it when he took office. Obama had hoped to use food aid to spur true negotiations and has few other means to draw North Korean to the bargaining table without embarrassing concessions.

___

AP National Security Writer Anne Gearan contributed to this report.

Comments (164)

1 2 3 ... 5
  • MadBrad
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 10:05pm

    If you have ever used Korean Luggage you would know how predictable this outcome was. Lookey here, I’m a Combat Veteran of the Cold War. I fought Communists in an English speaking Country. I had my 19th Birthday in Combat and I’ve spent every day since studying them. I was recently instructed to write my Obituary, due to naturally caused health issues. If you are interested in knowing what a dying man has to say to dying people, do a Google Search for “The Brother Love Show – Addicted to Love”. There you will find all I have to say to the Human Race on the subjects of Love, Good -VS- Evil, Communism and MUCH, much more. I chose to drop this information HERE because I have a great deal of admiration of Glenn Beck and his staff.

    http://therealrevo.com/blog/?p=69517

    Report Post » MadBrad  
    • DEFCON4
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 10:15pm

      Dear MADBRAD my prayers are with you . Thank You for your service ! I’d be interested in some stories sometime.

      Report Post » DEFCON4  
    • Bowlz
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 10:44pm

      Are you from Pgh?

      Report Post »  
    • Shiroi Raion
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 7:41am

      Is there a good government on the planet? Wouldn’t it have been smarter to grow food for the hungry instead of making a multimillion dollar dud of a bottlerocket? All the time and work that it took to waste watch millions of dollars swirl and fizzle into the ocean could have fed a lot of people.. though I noticed that Lil Kim Jong packs down more than his share of food. The joys of Communism, government lives well and the citizens live only to make the government happy… beginning to sound like home.

      Report Post » Shiroi Raion  
    • TheCoffinMaker
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 10:36am

      Reading articles like this bring me back to the days of “Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot.”

      Just like an old “B” movie.

      To think in this day and age, we have commies like China controlling the American economy and North Korea leading the way into space.

      The world is screwed.

      …and to have a floozy like Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State.

      God help us!

      Report Post » TheCoffinMaker  
    • USAMEDIC3008
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 11:16am

      Or it worked perfect if you want to
      drop larger nuke on soul???????????

      Report Post » USAMEDIC3008  
    • teamarcheson
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 3:35pm

      Our first rocket failed miserably too. North Korea will beat America in a landing on Mars. A US Commie President will give them the money and the technology. When will Obama apologize to North Korea for what Truman did to them.

      Report Post »  
  • cal_105
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 10:00pm

    The dear leader must be rolling over in his glass coffin.

    Report Post »  
    • @leftfighter
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 10:05pm

      Who put Obama in a glass coffin?

      Report Post » @leftfighter  
    • TSUNAMI-22
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 10:07pm

      I‘m sure it won’t disturb the maggots one iota.

      Report Post »  
    • EndTheFedNOW
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 10:13pm

      But we need to worry about Iran? LOL Iran isnt shooting missles into space. Iran has no nuclear bombs. Donals Rumsfeld gave N Korea the capability to BUILD NUCLEAR WEAPONS! (look for yourself)
      http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/may/09/nuclear.northkorea

      The CFR and the bankers prop up the military industerial complex with these wars. They love war. The love sending your son or daughter off to die. They love exposing DU to your boy. They love giving cancer causing vaccines to populations all over the world thru the UN. I beg you to wake up. Quit voting for the main stream republicans. Quit going for the less of two evils. If you hate Paul whatever idc anymore. But mittens rommney is the white obama. the nwo has no need for you.

      Report Post » EndTheFedNOW  
    • maccow
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 10:21pm

      @Endthefednow
      “The CFR and the bankers prop up the military industrial complex with these wars.”
      You are on big walking NEORON Paul cliche.

      Is it Rick Santorum”s dropping out that has brought all the RonBots out again?

      Report Post » maccow  
    • EndTheFedNOW
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 11:05pm

      Did you read what I said? Are you a moron? I dont know what a neron is. If you think neocons are good. Well then…you basically suck. Go read the Washington Compost articale today from the seasoned writer talking about how Bilderberg is the one who will pick rommneys running mate. Much like they did with John kerry’s VP the other idiot. There are some real problems that no one seems to care about. And your just like everyother sucker out there. You have thrown up what the MSM says is crazy talk. They feed it to you, you go out and throw it up. Like I said. If you dont like Ron Paul WHATEVER. But even glenn beck said he was the closest to our founding fathers. Before he flip floped like he does on everything else. When you get off your brainwashing from the mSm, come talk.

      Report Post » EndTheFedNOW  
    • INOGAWD
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 11:55pm

      There will be Job Opportunities in their Rocket Science
      Program, for all O’Bozos Libotards…they will need jobs
      come November….I could name a bunch that would fit
      in with their Program, starting with Pelosi and Reid…….

      Report Post » INOGAWD  
    • maccow
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 1:28am

      @Endthefednow
      You are fun to tweak, no doubt.
      NEOCON stands for the New Jewish military industrial complex.
      NEORON stands for Ron Paul anti-Semitic isolationists like you.

      Anyone who feels the need to repeat the overused phrase “wake up” and “get your head out of the sand” looses my respect right off the bat. I would never be so arrogant as to think that everyone who doesn’t agree with my choice of candidates, some how needs to “Wake up”. I disagree with your choice of candidates and I believe that you are wide awake in you stupidity, arrogance, and anti-Semetism. All the more the pity.
      I have a very difficult time in distinguishing the difference in degree of hatred and vitriol towards this country and it’s citizens espoused by the progressive leftists and rabid Paulbots like you. Your hate and their hate is all taking this country to the same dark place.

      Report Post » maccow  
    • EP46
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 4:03am

      Is it in the Rotunda ?

      Report Post »  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 6:15am

      Obama’s solar team and North Korea have a lot in common

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • concho
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 8:23am

      Maybe next time the North Koreans “launch” a missile, don’t use Chinese parts.

      Report Post »  
    • SgtB
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 9:53am

      @ MACCOW, If you aren’t going to give the correct definitions of something, then don’t give them at all.

      You say that neocon describes the “New Jewish military industrial complex” and that neoron “stands for Ron Paul anti-Semitic isolationists like you”.

      Neither of these assertions is correct. First off, the word neoron, is something of your own design and is not a word or a proper descriptor for anything at this time. Second, neocon is short for neoconservative. One does not have to be a Jew or part of the military-industrial complex to have ideologies that are neoconservative. Oh, and for the record, Ron Paul is not isolationist, he is for diplomacy and trade over foreign wars and peacekeeping (world policing) missions run by the UN.

      Report Post » SgtB  
    • maccow
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 10:34am

      @SGTB
      You Ron Paul supporters have no sense of humor or of irony. Yes the term NEORON is of my own construction and is my parody of the constant use of NEOCON by Paulbots, leveled at anyone who doesn‘t agree with Ron Paul’s foreign policy. It doesn‘t surprise me that you don’t get the joke.
      NEOCON has always been a not so subtle anti-Simitic dig and is in my view intended in that way by Paul acolytes.
      Lighten up. The world will be coming to an end with or without Ron Paul in the White House.

      Report Post » maccow  
    • EndTheFedNOW
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 12:22pm

      maccow

      lol you dope. You cant even talk about what I posted. Just like all the other fake conseratives you call me a liberal and a anti semitic. Well FYI Ive never voted for a Dem. Always republicans. FYI I am a christian. (just like ron paul) and dont even try to comment on what kind of christian I am. No one should do that. I know the importance of Israel. I stand with the people of Isreal. I wnat them to blow up Iran. LEVAE AMERICA OUT OF IT. Again, when you do some research and see the NWO for what it is. Well you should thank me. Good day.

      Report Post » EndTheFedNOW  
    • EndTheFedNOW
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 12:27pm

      maccow

      lol you dope. You cant even talk about what I posted. Just like all the other fake conseratives you call me a liberal and a anti semitic. Well FYI Ive never voted for a Dem. Always republicans. FYI I am a christian. (just like ron paul) and dont even try to comment on what kind of christian I am. No one should do that. I know the importance of Israel. I stand with the people of Isreal. I wnat them to blow up Iran. LEVAE AMERICA OUT OF IT. Again, when you do some research and see the NWO for what it is. Well you should thank me. Good day

      Report Post » EndTheFedNOW  
  • blancojoe
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:59pm

    ….and NOW we will go ahead and give them food, fuel, and just about anything else the limp wristed Liberals of the current regime are willing to give them. I at least hope Hillary uses her “angry eyes.”

    Report Post »  
    • maccow
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 10:06pm

      On DRUDGE Hillary is threatening UN action. That will scare them straight. Stop launching missiles, N. Korea, or the UN will file a strongly worded protest….condemning Israel.

      How is it that the US Sec of State needs to threaten UN action? Has the US under Obama gotten this weak and impotent?

      Report Post » maccow  
    • Bowlz
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 10:54pm

      W sehould send them a naked pic of Hillary along with the Hillary KFC special: Two large thighs, two small breasts and a left wing. Their missles will simply go limp before they could blow up.

      Report Post »  
    • EndTheFedNOW
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 11:08pm

      “How is it that the US Sec of State needs to threaten UN action? Has the US under Obama gotten this weak and impotent?”

      No. The first President Bush signed treaties giving the UN more and more power in America. Every President take it a little further. But the two little Bush’s (who were republicans?) did more to further the cause for the UN than anyother Dem President did.

      Report Post » EndTheFedNOW  
    • McNamara
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 9:22am

      @Bowlz
      KFC Special! LOL!! hahahahahahahaha

      Report Post » McNamara  
    • TexasHunter
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 10:53am

      ENDTHEFED- I agree with your name but are we still blaming President Bush? Almost 4 years now.. Come on, Owebama does what ever the hell he wants. This is obvious.. He plays puppets with other countries while turning his own into a replica of N. Korea. This needs to be stopped. He needs to be stopped. OMG 2012 Get off the Bush wagon, that was done A LONG time ago..

      Report Post » TexasHunter  
  • jbcheesehead
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:56pm

    I do feel very sorry about the workers who were forced to work on this project that tried their best and now will be imprisoned or worse for being failures.

    Report Post »  
  • ThePostman
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:55pm

    We had better hold to our promise, and cut off ALL food aid. They launched. A deal’s a deal.

    Report Post »  
  • TSUNAMI-22
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:54pm

    I thought I heard some Benny Hill music playing at one point, today…………….

    Report Post »  
    • TyrannyNoMore
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 10:59pm

      Awe man, I miss ole Benny Hill. I wonder what ever happened to that little bald dude whom Benny was always patting on the head?

      Report Post » TyrannyNoMore  
  • chazmo
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:53pm

    I wonder if this really is a failure? EMP test…

    Report Post » chazmo  
    • mitchbarr
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 10:10pm

      or maybe a laser?

      One thing no one has considered is that this may not have been a North Korean test. Maybe China has developed a new weapon system to shoot down rockets.

      The Obama admin owes them so much money maybe they are selling secrets to the Chinese. Like maybe plans for a stealth fighter. Plans for a missile defense system.

      Report Post »  
    • WeaponizedGreyMatter
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 8:35am

      Or shot down by our own Airborne Laser? Did anyone see a 747 doing figure 8s in the south china sea?

      Report Post » WeaponizedGreyMatter  
  • South Philly Boy
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:53pm

    Well it’s Back to the Drawing Board

    Report Post » South Philly Boy  
    • term limits for congress
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 11:47am

      Reminds me of Wylie Coyote firing his ACME rocket at the Road Runner. Beep beep.

      Dear ACME, please send me another extra-large space rocket and a giant sling-shot.
      Thanks.
      Kim Jong Un

      Report Post »  
  • Just in time
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:53pm

    Can you count on one hand. How many different entities want to destroy America?

    Report Post »  
  • OhSnappage
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:51pm

    Quick send Bill Clinton or Jimmy Carter over to share our condolences. Obama can give them a DVD or something or promise them more jobs.

    Were we feeding the N. Korean people, while they a spent a fortune on reseach for a prepped missile test. Maybe it was just a badly designed crop duster for farming?

    Report Post » OhSnappage  
  • PRESENTSOFMIND
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:50pm

    Are we sure the new three stooges aren’t behind this?

    Report Post » PRESENTSOFMIND  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:50pm

    D’oh!

    Report Post » KickinBack  
  • COFemale
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:49pm

    Was it made in China?

    Report Post » COFemale  
  • P32 Defender
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:47pm

    Kim Jong Un has wasted hundreds of millions of dollars on ambitious military ventures while the North Korean people are malnurished. His country remains blacked out at night, while South Korea is lit up in splendor. It is time for the North Korean people to stand up to this puppet regime. The North Korean military keeps drinking the KoolAid. Sorry Kim Jong Un, communism does NOT work.

    Report Post »  
    • babylonvi
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 10:04pm

      Looks like lil’ Kim went to the Barry Soetoro school of economics, politics and leadership.

      Report Post » babylonvi  
    • barber2
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 12:00am

      BABY: Agree. The School of Dysfunctional Economics and / or Social Justice – aka/ “ I want Revenge But I want it To Sound Politically Correct ” . Both are guys angry over what they see as past injustices , with Big Chips on their shoulders which is a sign of the Far Left. Translation of their new “social justice : ” I‘ll avenge a past injustice done by others by committing a new one on people today who weren’t alive back then “… DUH….. ( oh the wisdom of the Hatfield/ Mccoy School of Justice : a gift that keeps on giving ) for ever……..and ever….

      Report Post »  
  • NOT A CRAZY
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:47pm

    ooooooooooooo…aaaaaaaaaaaa….scary. That is exactly how I figured a N.Korean rocket would fly. What a bunch of commies.

    Report Post » NOT A CRAZY  
  • Skee
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:43pm

    I wonder if a rocket scientist job just opened in their space program.
    Requirments: expert in appling bubble gum too paper mache.

    Report Post » Skee  
    • DEFCON4
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 10:01pm

      Everyone involved with program currently taking a dirt nap .sshhh……..

      Report Post » DEFCON4  
  • The Eleventh Doctor
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:38pm

    Testing an EMP rocket maybe?

    Report Post » The Eleventh Doctor  
  • momprayn
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:37pm

    Ha! I’ll take it as “prophetic” for near future of No. Korea — FAIL

    Report Post »  
  • txmike
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:37pm

    im sure this headline was stolen from Fark

    Report Post » txmike  
  • momprayn
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:35pm

    Ha! I’ll take it as “prophetic” for the near future of North Korea……….FAIL

    Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:34pm

    .
    It‘s a shame NASA can’t do that………

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • clockwatcher
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:29pm

    Maybe the dems want to give them so stimulis money.

    Report Post » clockwatcher  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:29pm

    So the missile failed, the N Korean leadership will declare it a success and Mr Obama will toot his horn and crow louder and louder about winning against N Korea.

    So when will Hollywood have Mr Obama parachuting into the north to sabotauge the missile?

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:39pm

      The biggest problem with the rockets, is the windmill and solar panels failed. Plus if you look at where they got their parts, everything was stamped, “Made in China”.

      But then again, they will now just have a parade cheering the great success, and tell their people, there is now a satellite, that will take pictures of food and send them to all the people of N. Korea. Yum yum, enjoy.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • MEANS2RESIST
      Posted on April 13, 2012 at 12:19am

      Where‘s the photo’s of the mourners crying for the rocket?

      Report Post » MEANS2RESIST  
  • Mutiny
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:27pm

    What is funny is that North Korea is supposedly much farther along with missile tech and nuclear weapon tech than Iran. This is a perfect example of why the wars we have been fighting over WMDs have been a joke and are being used to bring the United States to its knees.

    We have been able to launch ICBMs since the 60s and these idiots cannot do it 50 years later. Please wake up and realize you are being used as useful idiots. Both the Republicans and the Democrats are doing this.

    Wake up!!!

    Report Post » Mutiny  
    • Welcome Black Carter
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:42pm

      Don’t stop there. Tell us more. Tell us everything you know!

      Report Post » Welcome Black Carter  
    • qpwillie
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:44pm

      Hmm, I wonder why my Paulbot detector is beeping.

      Report Post » qpwillie  
    • maccow
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 10:01pm

      Paulbot or NEORON
      All the same.

      Report Post » maccow  
    • Mutiny
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 10:02pm

      LOL yes laugh and joke. Did I lie? No. If you want to live with your head in the sand feel free.

      Report Post » Mutiny  
    • BigBadBud
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 10:52pm

      I tried to stay out of this, but after reading Mutiny‘s comment a few times I just couldn’t. You are an idiot if you think fighting for people’s freedom is a waste of time. I‘ll give you there wasn’t any nukes in Iraq like the world thought there was. But do you really think it would be hard for a terrorist to get a nuke or a dirty bomb over our border with Mexico? And I hope every day that if our country turned full blown commie or dictatorship our allies wouldn’t say,”oh well, sucks to be them, but it’ll cost to much money to save them, there on there own” That cowardly way of thinking was why Hitler almost got away with what he was doing. Sure we can’t police the entire world and I know war is hell, but some things are worth fighting for, like freedom. You need to get YOUR head out of the sand and realize that if we sit around and let terrorists and dictators run wild, they‘ll do something so horrifying it’ll make 9/11 look small. Get a grip on reality. And

      Report Post »  
    • Flotilla Hunter
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 11:24pm

      @MUTINY I notice they usually only tag the front page. PAULBOT ,NEORON. That’s as good as it gets. What substance. So original. Really bitter like the lifelong union guy next door. Makes me wonder if they keep up with any current events. Come on I want to hear some new vocabulary. Entertain me!

      Report Post »  
  • Mark0331
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:23pm

    The people of North Korea must have enjoyed watching that while they freeze and eat tree bark for dinner.

    Report Post » Mark0331  
    • circleDwagons
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:31pm

      4 more years of Obama and we will be more equal…

      Report Post » circleDwagons  
    • Mark0331
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:35pm

      @circledwagons…He sure is trying ain’t he? Its called his ‘level the playing field ’ strategy..more like ‘level the US economy’ strategy…I wonder how his Kobe Beef Steak dinner tasted tonight?

      Report Post » Mark0331  
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