(NewsInsights.org) – North Korean leader Kim Jong-un celebrated the successful lift-off of his nation’s first spy satellite into orbit on Tuesday, November 20. It was the nation’s third attempt to launch a rocket with an orbital monitor in contempt of multiple UN sanctions and the first success.
State media outlet Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported the blast-off occurred at 10:42 p.m. local time from the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, placing the Malligyong-1 satellite in orbit only 12 minutes later. Two previous attempts in May and August failed.
KCNA reported that scientists had supplied Kim with photos of US military bases in Guam obtained by the orbital station around 9:22 a.m. Wednesday morning, less than 12 hours after the launch. Yet, according to Reuters, some sources expressed skepticism regarding the new satellite’s capabilities.
Based on photos released by state media agencies of Kim’s visit earlier this year to a facility that manufactures the satellites, one former US government weapons expert, Vann Van Diepen, currently employed by the Stimson Center in Washington, DC, conjectured that the small orbiter would primarily utilize low-resolution optical capability. Still, he pointed out that having any observational ability was “better than not having a satellite” for North Korea.
Diplomats have raised questions internationally about whether North Korea and Russia collaborated to help the smaller country successfully launch one after Russia pledged its help in September. Kim has faced accusations that he has provided weapons to Russia in trade for food and technology. Yet, most technical experts agree that while Russia may have assisted in analyzing past failures, North Korea could not have implemented significant design changes contributed by Russian scientists so quickly.
South Korea responded to the launch by suspending portions of the 2018 Comprehensive Military Agreement signed by Kim and former South Korean President Moon Jae-in. The southern neighbor also planned to resume demarcation aerial reconnaissance and surveillance activities.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters his nation had “lodged a stern protest and condemned North Korea in the strongest terms” after the launch threatened his nation’s citizens and further violated UN sanctions. Additionally, Japan activated its defense systems, including PAC-3 air defense missiles and the Aegis destroyers, to handle any potential eventualities.
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