NK pilot believed to die in 2009 rocket launch
By Jun Ji-hye North Korea has paid tribute to 14 of its military personnel who were involved with the launch of a satellite in 2009, including one Air Force pilot who died. According to the North’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) Tuesday, the country’s leader Kim Jong-un inspected Unit 447 of the Air and Anti-Air Force and was pictured in front of a monument to honor the “14 stalwart fighters who displayed great bravery.” The KCNA added that the monument honors the “heroic feats performed by the military to ensure the successful launch of the Kwangmyongsong-2 satellite.” Following the report, some South Korean vernacular media reported that 14 people appear to have died during the operation. However, officials noted that only one pilot is believed to have been killed. This is thought to have occurred on April 4, 2009, a day before the rocket launch, while he was on a reconnaissance flight close to the launch site scouting for possible interceptions.A report made last year by the Rodong Sinmun, a daily newspaper run by the North
