North Korea defends satellites
Kim studies spy images from the White House
November 28, 2023, 4:24 a.m
After two failed attempts, North Korea sends a spy satellite into space – probably with the help of Russia. The country defended the action as “legitimate” at the UN. The ruler Kim is now having detailed photos of the White House presented to him.
North Korea’s ambassador to the United Nations described the launch of a spy satellite about a week ago as a “legitimate” act of self-defense against the United States. “No other nation in the world is in such a critical security situation” as North Korea, North Korean UN Ambassador Kim Song told the UN Security Council.
“A belligerent country, the United States, is threatening us with nuclear weapons,” he said, adding that it is North Korea’s right to “develop, test, manufacture and possess weapons systems equivalent to those that the United States possesses or develops.” .
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield rejected the North Korean comments, saying the “routine” joint military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea were “defensive.”
Experts tip on technical help from Russia
After two failed attempts, North Korea successfully launched a spy satellite into space last Tuesday, according to state media. As the KCNA news agency reported, a launch vehicle carrying the Malligyong-1 satellite was launched from North Phyongan Province. South Korea, whose relations with its northern neighbor are extremely strained, confirmed on Thursday that the satellite had been successfully placed into orbit.
On Monday, KCNA reported that the new device had already captured “detailed” images of the White House and the Pentagon in Washington and that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had reviewed them. Kim even counted the number of aircraft carriers at a US base in Virginia, it said.
As South Korean analysts explained, the latest launch, after two failures, is most likely made with Russian technology as part of a growing partnership. Russia and North Korea have denied arms deals but have promised each other closer cooperation.