loading…
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter visit the National Aerospace Development Administration. Photo/The Star
SEOUL – Leader North Korea (Jewelry) Kim Jong-un has ordered state officials to prepare for the launch spy satellite the country’s first military. This was reported by North Korea’s state media, KCNA.
KCNA reported that during his visit to the National Aerospace Development Administration on Tuesday, Kim Jong-un said the production of the country’s military spy satellites had been completed and ordered the delivery of several spy satellites.
On that occasion, Kim stressed the role of military satellites to protect national security and territorial stability amidst increasing military threats and challenges by the United States and South Korea.
Kim also talked about the role of the satellite and its strategic value when deploying military force first according to the situation, KCNA said.
Kim said the acquisition of military reconnaissance satellites was indispensable, calling it a right of national sovereignty and self-defense. He cited tensions on the Korean Peninsula and the need to manage threats prospectively, KCNA reported.
He paid a visit with his daughter believed to be Ju Ae, who has attended many events with her father so far this year.
Last December, North Korea claimed to have carried out a critical final-stage test for the development of a spy satellite. North Korea’s space development agency announced it will complete preparations for its first military reconnaissance satellite by April 2023.
Despite North Korea’s claims, recent satellite images of the country’s space launch center show no sign of an imminent launch, said Dave Schmerler, senior fellow at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in the United States.
“But North Korea can launch these via ground vehicles. So we’re all just waiting to see what they do,” Schmerler said as quoted by CNN, Wednesday (19/4/2023).
North Korea’s recent missile launches, including last week’s test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, have come from mobile launchers.
(ian)
