Explainer-Why North Korea's satellite launches are so controversial

FILE PHOTO: People watch a TV broadcasting file footage of a news report on North Korea firing what appeared to be a ballistic missile, in Seoul, South Korea, February 27, 2022. Yonhap via REUTERS

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea appears to be preparing for its second attempt at launching a reconnaissance satellite this year, a move that may prove as controversial as the nuclear-armed country's weapons tests.

A May 31 attempt - North Korea's first such launch since 2016 - ended in fiery failure when its new Chollima-1 rocket crashed into the sea.