North Korean leader vows never to give up space reconnaissance project

FILE PHOTO: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits the Ministry of National Defense on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army in Pyongyang, North Korea in this picture released on February 9, 2024 by the Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS/File Photo

SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said space reconnaissance capabilities are crucial for national self defence against enemy threats and the country will never give up the fight to own that ability, state media said on Wednesday.

North Korea's attempt to launch a spy satellite on Monday failed after the first stage booster exploded in flight.