North Korea Asserts Sovereign Right to Spy Satellite Program at UN

North Korea defended its spy satellite program as its "legitimate right as a sovereign state" during a speech to the UN Security Council. The country's ambassador denied seeking intercontinental ballistic missile technology and criticized UNSC resolutions infringing on its rights. North Korea's second attempt to launch a spy satellite failed due to a malfunction, following a previous failed attempt in May. The US condemned the launch as a violation of UN resolutions, while South Korea stated the satellite's design was too rudimentary for effective spying. North Korea plans to make another launch attempt in October.