- Kim Jong Un is reportedly eyeing the launch of a spy satellite with missiles
North Korea launched a missile believed to contain a spy satellite during South Korea’s state visit to Britain, but the action, believed to be deliberately timed, failed to disrupt a private lunch planned for the visit.
The launch came as South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee dined with King Charles III, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales and other royal and South Korean dignitaries at Buckingham Palace.
Sources said there was “a bit of a commotion” at the palace as the rocket blasted off from North Pyongan province, with North Korean state media claiming to have successfully placed the Malligyong-1 satellite into orbit.
The timing of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s decision, at the height of such a high-profile South Korean diplomatic visit, surprised no one. Fortunately, sources said, “it hasn’t managed to keep anyone from getting their chicken.”
The reaction to the rocket launch was epitomized the ‘keep calm and carry on’ spirit of British diplomacy as guests enjoyed lunch in the Blue Drawing Room.
Diners sit in a restaurant in Seoul as a TV shows a news broadcast about North Korea’s launch of a suspected spy satellite Tuesday
The launch took place during the British state visit of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (photo left of King Charles III).
Sources said news of the rocket launch – hailed as successful by state media without confirmation – “failed to unnerve anyone” at a lunch at Buckingham Palace.
The launch was reportedly watched by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (pictured)
The visit by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee is the first incoming state visit since the coronation of King Charles III.
It started with a ceremonial Horse Guards Parade welcome, with the Prince and Princess of Wales traveling from their London hotel with the South Korean head of state, before traveling to Buckingham Palace for a special exhibition.
At the palace, South Korean dignitaries were shown objects from the Royal Collection relating to South Korea, including the first evidence of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The king proudly showed the president a letter that King Gojong had sent to Queen Victoria on the occasion of an 1883 friendship and trade treaty.
King Charles also showed photos of Seoul’s Gwanghuamun Gate, which he helped conserve and restore as Prince of Wales.
And the visitors – who were guided around by translators – were also shown the late queen’s speech from her 1999 state visit.
Prince William and Princess Catherine joked with South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Park that they should arrange karaoke if they ever make a state visit to South Korea.
Yoon, 62, is a well-known fan of karaoke and sang a verse of one of his favorite songs, American Pie, during a dinner at the White House in April at the request of President Joe Biden during a state visit to the US. He received a standing ovation.
The launch of the North Korean spy satellite was reportedly witnessed by leader Kim Jong Un. State authorities said this would increase the isolated state’s readiness for war.
However, claims about the satellite’s successful entry into orbit could not be independently verified.
Japan initially issued a “J-alert” missile warning for Okinawa Prefecture late Tuesday after the missile was launched, but later withdrew the advisory after the missile reportedly landed in the Pacific Ocean.
South Korea has said a North Korean spy launch program also includes efforts to produce more powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
Mr Yoon, the South Korean president currently visiting Britain, said earlier in November: ‘If North Korea succeeds in launching the military reconnaissance satellite, it would mean that North Korea’s ICBM capabilities would be taken to a higher level have been lifted.
‘That is why we will have to come up with reinforced countermeasures.’