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PoliticsNorth Korea

North Korea to launch first military spy satellite in June

May 30, 2023

While the West and its allies have condemned North Korea's planned launch, it's unclear whether the satellite is advanced enough to monitor the US and South Korean military.

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A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea's rocket launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea
North Korea said it was responding to joint military exercises involving the United States and South KoreaImage: Ahn Young-joon/AP Photo/picture alliance

North Korea will launch its first military reconnaissance satellite in June for monitoring movements from the United States, Pyongyang's state-run news agency KCNA reported on Tuesday.

Ri Pyong Chol, vice-chairman of North Korea's Central Military Commission, said space-based monitoring was needed to fend off Washington's "reckless" military exercises with South Korea.

The statement came a day after North Korea told Japan's coast guard of its launch intentions and that it would occur sometime between May 31 and June 11, adding the maneuver might affect waters in the Yellow Sea, East China Sea and east of the Philippines' Luzon Island.

What North Korea said about the launch

Ri said the joint exercises meant Pyongyang had to respond with the "means capable of gathering information about the military acts of the enemy in real time."

"We will comprehensively consider the present and future threats and put into more thoroughgoing practice the activities for strengthening all-inclusive and practical war deterrents," Ri said in the statement carried by the KCNA news agency.

How Japan reacted to the satellite launch plans

Japan warned its forces to shoot down the satellite or debris, if any entered Japanese territory, while its coast guard issued a safety warning for vessels.

"Even if North Korea might call it a 'satellite' this is a violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions that prohibit North Korea from all launches using the ballistic missile technology," Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told a news conference.

US and South Korean forces have carried out several joint missions in recent months, including the biggest-ever live-fire exercises earlier this month.

jsi/kb (Reuters, AP)