CNN has had several reports on this, including some where North Korea allowed international journalists into the launch site. Most of the observers note that it's unintentionally transparent that the NK's are hiding a more robust missile program; the launcher dwarfs the satellite rocket (intended for larger missiles); The fuel storage greatly exceeds the needs of this small missiles; much of the area was off-limits, etc.
I am surprised they haven't blamed western sabotage yet.
It's really no surprise at all - DPRK is technologically inferior and the "satellite launch" was a front for a ballistic missile test anyway. I just hope this blow to their prestige accelerates the internal collapse of the regime.
The available information suggests the rocket disintegrated about 90 seconds into its flight, just before first-stage separation and ignition of the second stage.
One account talked of an unusually bright flaring coming from the vehicle.
All that fits with data indicating debris fell into the Yellow Sea about 165km (103 miles) west of Seoul, well short of the impact site where the North Koreans had planned to drop the first stage on a nominal flight.
what if it would have fallen into south korean land, likely to treat as act of war?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17399847
News from 13th of April
North Korea is believed to have more than 1,000 missiles of varying capabilities, including long-range missiles which could one day strike the US.
An accident like that wouldn't cause war. South does not want to attack the North. The North probably doesn't want war either, if for no other reason than that the generals seem to have enough power to not let the crazy guy at the top go that far. A war would be hard on the people in the South at first, but the North's army would be crushed soon after that.
The North is a long way from a missile that could hit the US.
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