Shortly after satellite launch
Kim Jong Un claims to have seen pictures of US bases
November 22, 2023, 1:42 p.m
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It is still unclear whether the satellite recently launched by North Korea even works. However, ruler Kim Jong Un explains that he has already seen the first reconnaissance images from a US base on Guam. Meanwhile, South Korea fears that its neighbor will have an advantage in espionage.
After the launch of a spy satellite reported by North Korea, ruler Kim Jong Un looked at aerial photos of military bases in the US territory of Guam in the Pacific, according to the state news agency KCNA. Among other things, Kim Jong Un looked at images of the Anderson air base in Apra Harbor and “other larger military bases”.
According to KCNA, North Korea launched a launch vehicle with the “Malligyong-1” satellite on Tuesday evening despite international warnings and then placed the satellite in its intended Earth orbit. The General Staff of the South Korean Army confirmed the satellite’s entry into Earth orbit. However, it has not yet been possible to determine whether the satellite is working. Japan confirmed the launch of the launch vehicle, but has not yet confirmed the deployment of the satellite.
International reactions to the rocket launch
According to a government spokesman, South Korea partially suspended a 2018 military agreement with its neighboring country in response to the launch. Surveillance measures along the border would also be resumed. The USA also condemned the incident. The launch using “ballistic missile technology” was a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions, said Adrienne Watson, spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council. UN Secretary-General António Guterres also condemned the satellite launch, according to a spokesman, saying any launch by North Korea using ballistic missile technology violates UN Security Council resolutions.
China, which is close to North Korea, called on “all concerned parties” to show “calm” and “restraint” on Wednesday. South Korea’s intelligence services had warned for weeks that North Korea was in the final stages of preparations for its third attempt to put a spy satellite into orbit after two failed launches.
South Korea fears satellite images will benefit the conflict
If North Korea has actually succeeded in placing a spy satellite in orbit around the Earth, experts say this would significantly strengthen its ability to gather information, particularly about its neighbor and arch-rival South Korea. The data collected by the satellite could therefore be crucial for Pyongyang in the event of a military conflict. South Korea, for its part, plans to place its first spy satellite into orbit by the end of the month using a launch vehicle from the US company SpaceX.
North Korea has carried out a record number of weapons tests this year. North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programs have long been viewed internationally as a major threat. The UN Security Council has passed numerous resolutions calling on North Korea to stop its nuclear and missile programs.
North Korea carried out its first nuclear test in 2006. In view of the numerous North Korean missile tests, South Korea had strengthened its military relations with the USA and held joint military exercises.