North Korean satellite not capable of spying from space

An object salvaged by South Korea’s military that is presumed to be part of the North Korean space-launch vehicle that crashed into sea following a launch failure, in West Sea, South Korea (South Korea Defense Ministry/AP)

North Korea’s failed satellite was not capable of conducting military reconnaissance from space, South Korea’s military said after studying retrieved wreckage.

The long-range rocket, which North Korea said was party of a space-based intelligence system, plunged into the sea off the Korean Peninsula’s west coast after launching in May.