The assessment, made by the Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU), takes into account the upcoming celebrations of the 78th founding anniversary of North Korea’s ruling Workers' Party. It also mentions China’s One Belt - One Road international forum, scheduled to take place during the designated period and expected to bring together global leaders.
Earlier, the government of North Korea said it was poised to carry out its third satellite launch attempt in October. The previous two, held in May and August, were unsuccessful, according to TASS.
Pyongyang is likely to try to launch its reconnaissance satellite ahead of South Korea's attempt; The North appears to prioritize delivering a political message with the satellite launch, rather than perfecting technical aspects, the South Korean think tank said.
A meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was held on September 13 at Russia’s Vostochny space center in the Far East. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was ready to train a North Korean cosmonaut, should the country’s leadership request it. Later, Director General of Russia’s state space corporation Roscosmos Yury Borisov said Russia and North Korea had not yet discussed a space cooperation program in detail, but Russia is ready to cooperate with all countries.
MP/PR
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