NK Launches First Spy Satellite, Withdraws Parts of Military Deal
- Dec 12, 2024
- 2 min read
By: Paul Kim
On November 22, North Korea announces the launch of its first spy satellite: “Malligyong-1” on the carrier rocket, “Chollima-1”. Pyongyang first attempted to launch its satellite late May and a second time in August, but both attempts ended in failure. Rockets used to launch satellites involve 3 stages with each stage propelling the rocket into the Earth’s atmosphere. These attempts failed due to defects in the second and third stage of the rocket at the first and second attempts, respectively. While its functionality is in question, the South Korean, U.S., and Japanese authorities will be able to soon determine the satellite’s viability according to the South Korean Defense Minister, Shin Wonsik.
Following the launch, South Korea has suspended part of their 2018 agreement stating that they will resume surveillance with aircrafts and drones along their border. This will ultimately lead to North Korea fully suspending the pact and increasing their presence on the border with more forces and new military hardware. The launch was strongly opposed by South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, saying that the launch would help North Korea obtain a surveillance system, which would improve its missile’s effectiveness. However, North Korea claims that it is their sovereign right to launch satellites to resist “U.S.-led military threats.” Furthermore, Russia intends to help the North build satellites as stated by Russian President, Vladimir Putin, in September. In fact, there are already indications of their support through the increased rate of Russian ships between North Korean and Russian military ports carrying cargo. Many experts find this quite shocking, as Russia is a member of the UN Security Council, which bans North Korea’s development of long-range missile technology.
According to Carl Schuster, a former director of operations at the U.S. Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center, North Korea will now have the capability to “command, control, and communications or intelligence and surveillance capabilities,” and “would improve the North’s ability to command its forces.” As a result, the precision capability of nuclear missiles would be enhanced, which would ultimately increase North Korea’s military force. Additionally, it has been reported that Kim Jong Un is continuing to expand other military forces including its submarines, which would give him the ability to launch ballistic and hypersonic missiles.
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