North Korea claims its first spy satellite is ready for launch

Asia-Pacific, News April 20, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

North Korea’s supreme leader Kim Jon Un claimed that his country has successfully developed its first military spy satellite and plans to launch it at an undisclosed date. North Korea’s state-owned media reported on April 19, 2023.

The announcement came during Kim Jon Un’s visit to North Korea’s space agency, National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA). According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim said that satellite would allow North Korea to keep an eye on the security threats posed by the United States and South Korea.

The North Korean leader said that the country’s space reconnaissance capabilities would help resolve many issues including the U.S. and South Korea’s joint military drills and international economic sanctions on North Korea.

North Korea’s missiles and rocket-building capabilities demonstrate that it can send a satellite into space, however, many experts have questioned whether the North Korean military has access to sophisticated reconnaissance equipment, especially high-resolution cameras for the spy satellite.

If Pyongyang puts an operational spy satellite in space, it will strengthen its ability to conduct a pre-emptive strike as well as monitor potential incoming threats from the U.S. and South Korea.

In response to North Korea’s announcement about the spy satellite, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said the launch of the satellite would threaten regional peace and violate multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions. It said that South Korea would work closely with the international community to get North Korea to face the consequences when it commits provocations.

*^{North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (right) with his daughter inspecting the National Aerospace Development Administration at an undisclosed location in North Korea. (Image Credit: KCNA/via KNS)}*

Putting a spy satellite into orbit would require a long-range rocket. Under the United Nations sanctions imposed on North Korea, Pyongyang is prohibited to carry out such space launches as such activity can be used as a cover for testing long-range ballistic missile technology.

Last week, Pyongyang claimed a successful test of a solid-fuelled Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). North Korea also put forward a claim that it has developed a nuclear-power submarine, a hypersonic missile, and a multi-warhead missile although it is not clear if they are close to operational.

North Korea has been making extensive military development claims recently, largely due to South Korea and the U.S.’s increasing military activities in the region that Pyongyang sees as a direct threat to its regime. The U.S., South Korea, and Japan this week conducted joint naval drills aimed at detecting North Korean ballistic missiles.

While North Korea complains about the U.S.-South Korean drills, it also uses them as a pretext to advance its capabilities and ratchet up the pressure on Washington to make concessions.