North Korea takes pictures from space in claimed test of ‘reconnaissance satellite’

Pyongyang’s push to develop satellite technology comes as South Korea is developing its own space projectiles to monitor the North
North Korean state media on Monday released two photos showing the Korean peninsula seen from space, and said the spy satellite test was of ‘great significance’

North Korea

BloombergandReuters

Published: 9:11am, 28 Feb 2022

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North Korea said it held an “important” test for a reconnaissance satellite over the weekend, in its first launch of a ballistic missile since late January.

The launch that took place on Sunday helped confirm the characteristics and working accuracy of a high-definition photographing system, data transmission system and attitude control devices, Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency said on Monday.

“The test is of great significance in developing the reconnaissance satellite,” the report said.

People watch a television news report on Sunday’s launch at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea. Photo: AP

KCNA’s report did not elaborate on what type of rocket had been used in the test, but authorities in South Korea said it appeared to be a ballistic missile fired from an area near Pyongyang where its international airport is located. The projectile was launched at 7:52am, reached a maximum altitude of about 385 miles (620 kilometres) and had a range of about 186 miles (300 kilometres), South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

North Korea’s space programme is seen as having a dual-use application for bolstering its ballistic missiles.

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State media released two photos showing the Korean peninsula seen from space.

Developing a military reconnaissance satellite is among a number of advancements leader Kim Jong-un called for last year, including recently tested hypersonic weapons.

North Korea’s push to develop such technology comes as South Korea plans to test a solid-fuel space projectile in March as part of a project to deploy its own military surveillance satellites to monitor the North, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.

The test drew international condemnation, and the United States, Britain, France and three other United Nations Security Council members plan to raise the latest launch during a closed-door council meeting on Monday, diplomats said.

02:02

North Korea launches most powerful ballistic missile test since 2017, takes pictures from space

North Korea is banned from developing ballistic missiles by UN Security Council resolutions.

Previous launches of what Pyongyang said were space rockets have been criticised by the US and its allies as thinly veiled tests of ballistic missile technology.

North Korea has previously successfully placed at least two satellites in orbit, the last one in 2016. But neither of those are believed to be working.

Sunday’s launch ramped up tensions as global attention is focused on Ukraine and renewed concern about Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions as the Biden administration faces one of its greatest challenges in managing the global response to Russia’s invasion of its neighbour.

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North Korea last tested a ballistic missile on January 30, firing an intermediate-range rocket for the first time since 2017 that culminated its biggest monthly series of rocket tests since he took power a decade ago. Pyongyang then held off on missile tests while its neighbour and biggest benefactor, China, hosted the Winter Olympics.

Kim has shown no interest in the Biden administration’s call for him to return to nuclear disarmament talks, now stalled for about three years. So far the US has not acceded to North Korea’s demands that it ease up on sanctions choking its economy.

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