[tanknetter]

Not just rivets, but raised rivets at that. So weight AND drag.

[Black Agnes]

Only had to boost the payload to 311 miles altitude. Did so successfully.

[CrazyIvan]

Not just rivets, but raised rivets at that. So weight AND drag.

Steampunk space program.

[StormEye]

The Thor-Agena rocket "skin" has a very smooth, aerodynamic surface.
I'm sure there's probably a rivet some where on the rocket -- but not very many.

The comparison shows that the North Koreans lack welding know-how and modern welding technology. It would be a good idea to keep them from acquiring it too! Nevertheless, the NK rocket did launch, travel quite far, and managed to place their primitive "satellite" space junk into orbit.