North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country has completed development of its first military spy satellite and ordered officials to go ahead with the planned launch, according to state media.
Kim, who was visiting the country’s National Aerospace Development Administration, said developing reconnaissance capabilities is a priority to counter “threats” from the United States and South Korea and that multiple satellites are needed to firmly establish intelligence gathering capacity. The agency announced this on Wednesday.
Kim urged the satellite to be deployed as planned, but did not specify a launch date.
North Korea conducted what it called a “final stage” test of a spy satellite in December and said it would complete preparations for its launch by April.
Kim said that “securing real-time information about the military scenario of enemy forces” is the “most important” task.
Kim also accused the United States and South Korea of ​​expanding hostile military campaigns in the name of strengthening their alliance, and claimed that the United States was trying to “turn South Korea into a forward aggressive base and arsenal of war” by deploying military means. like airplanes. Tankers and nuclear bombers in the region.
The US and South Korean militaries have expanded their joint exercises to bolster their deterrence against North Korea’s growing nuclear threats. This week, they launched a 12-day air exercise involving about 110 combat aircraft and conducted a one-day naval missile defense exercise with Japan.
Kim accused the United States of trying to “turn South Korea into a forward base for aggression and an arsenal of war” by deploying military assets such as aircraft carriers and nuclear bombers in the region.
State media released a picture of Kim speaking to officials in front of what appeared to be a blurred satellite image. He was accompanied by his daughter, who was taken with her father to several missile launches and military events recently.
North Korea conducted a record number of missile tests in 2022 and has conducted about 30 since the beginning of this year as Kim seeks to modernize and build up the country’s military strength.
Last week, Pyongyang tested what it called a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, a significant achievement, and it also developed a nuclear-powered submarine, a hypersonic missile, and a multi-barreled missile. The rockets were. Close to work.
Observers say that while North Korea complains about the US-South Korean exercises, it also uses them as an excuse to build up its capabilities and increase pressure on Washington to make concessions.
“Considering that the United States and South Korea plan to further strengthen their military stance against the DPRK (…), it is only natural that the DPRK develops its military deterrence with sufficient strength to deal with the harsh environment of current and future security,” Kim said. According to the Korean Central News Agency.
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is the country’s official name.
Putting a spy satellite into orbit requires a long-range missile. But the United Nations bans such launches, viewing such activity as a cover for testing long-range ballistic missile technology.
Pyongyang launched its first and second Earth-observing satellites in 2012 and 2016 and imposed new UN sanctions, but foreign experts say no one has passed the images to North Korea.
Although the weapons testing continues in violation of UN resolutions, North Korea has once again deflected blame because Russia and China – permanent members of the UN Security Council with veto power – have refused to support attempts by the US and others to tighten sanctions.
