South Korea suspects its North Korean neighbor of preparing the launch of a spy satellite

The South Korean military said Friday that they suspected North Korea of ​​soon wanting to launch a new military spy satellite, a few days before the first trilateral meeting in five years, between Seoul, Beijing and Tokyo. Seoul and American intelligence have “recently detected” “elements which indicate preparation” for the launch of a “military reconnaissance satellite”, according to the South Korean army. Putting a reconnaissance satellite in orbit above South Korea would provide Pyongyang with crucial data in the event of a conflict.

For Seoul, North Korea was helped by Russia

This information was revealed by the Korean army a few days before the meeting on Monday in Seoul between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang and his Japanese counterpart Fumion Kishida in Seoul. This is the first trilateral meeting since 2019. China is South Korea’s largest trading partner, but remains North Korea’s main economic supporter and diplomatic ally.

Evidence of preparations for a satellite launch have been detected in North Korea’s Thongchang-ri county, home to the Sohae launch site. It was from this site that North Korea launched three satellites, only the last of which was correctly put into orbit, last November. According to Pyongyang, this satellite provides images of American and South Korean military sites. However, South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said in February that this satellite, called “Malligyong-1”, did not appear to be “active”.

For Seoul, North Korea was helped by Russia for this launch, in exchange for arms deliveries for the war in Ukraine. South Korea on Friday sanctioned two Russian ships for “transporting a large quantity of containers between Russia and North Korea containing military supplies.” In December, Pyongyang indicated that it wanted to launch three additional spy satellites in 2024.