Why did North Korea launch a rocket?

Security Clearance

December 11th, 2012/10:06 PM ET

By Jamie Crawford

Whatever the reasons were behind North Korea's decision to launch a second rocket this year – a feat unprecedented to this point – the intended audience is likely more domestic than international.

Coming on the heels of a failed launch last April, and just before the one year anniversary of his father's death, analysts say North Korea's young new leader is more interested in sending a message to his impoverished nation than he is with any potential international consequences that could follow.

"I think this is very important to Kim Jong-un to build political legitimacy and bolster the spirits of his people," James Schoff, a North Korea specialist with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told CNN. "He is doing this despite the fact that he knows he is going to come into a lot of criticism in the region for it."

Wednesday's launch took many by surprise, considering an extension announced earlier this week to address apparent complications with the rocket could have pushed back an attempt to send it up until the end of the month.

The United States and other governments fear the tests serve as an undercover guise to enhance North Korea's ballistic missile program.

A U.S. official said the American military and intelligence picked up the launch immediately and were analyzing the data.

The United Nations Security Council has issued multiple sanctions against the North Korean government in an effort to get it to cease work on the program.

The United States, this week, called on North Korea to refrain from a launch, which it said would violate its international obligations.

Longtime North Korea watchers said the leadership succession process is now complete with Kim Jong-un viewed as the formalized leader of North Korea.

But the launch came during the more crucial power consolidation process where the new leader has purged senior military officers favored by his father's regime in an effort to re-balance the leadership toward the governing Workers Party.

This launch was viewed by some analysts as providing an opportunity that could help Kim Jong-un in his push for that consolidation of power.

"If Kim Jong-un pulls off a successful long range missile test, its a very important signal saying that yes I, Kim Jong-un have replaced the powerful generals," John Park, a Stanton Junior Faculty Fellow at MIT told CNN. "It shows that I have found the right balance and I am now in charge."

More importantly for Kim, a successful launch would further cement his leadership status in the eyes of the North Korean elite. Keep reading >>