Following a failed launch in August, North Korea had announced plans for a third launch in October, which did not come to fruition. South Korea has stated that Pyongyang is supplying Moscow with arms in exchange for Russian space technology. Analysts have pointed out the overlap between space launch capabilities and the development of ballistic missiles, which goes against UN sanctions imposed on Pyongyang.
Despite warnings from the United States, South Korea, and their allies, North Korea has continued to conduct a significant number of weapons tests this year. Recently, it boasted successful ground tests of a “new type” of solid-fuel engine for its banned intermediate-range ballistic missiles, citing it as a crucial move against the unstable security environment.
