- North Korea launches satellite.
- South Korea suspends military agreement.
- Global concerns over violation.
The KCNA news agency reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was subsequently briefed on the satellite’s operations and viewed images captured above the United States territory of Guam in the Pacific.
South Korea’s Response
North Korea’s disregard for warnings and launch of a surveillance satellite prompted South Korea to suspend a military deal.
As a result, South Korea will increase surveillance along the fortified northern frontier, in violation of a provision in a 2018 bilateral agreement.
North Korean state television showed Kim Jong Un watching a rocket launch from a site on Tuesday.
KCNA reported that Mr. Kim was briefed on the satellite’s activities and showed photographs of Guam in the Pacific.
The agency added that he emphasised the need for additional satellites in various orbits to provide his forces with “a wealth of valuable real-time information about the enemy and to further strengthen their responsive posture.”
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On December 1, following any necessary modifications, its reconnaissance mission is scheduled to commence.
South Korean military reports that the satellite has entered orbit, although performance evaluation is preliminary.
While on a state visit to the United Kingdom, President Yoon Suk Yeol sanctioned the suspension of the Comprehensive Military Agreement, an accord intended to reduce tensions.
Detractors said North Korea broke the agreement, but South Korea’s northern border monitoring was decreased.
International Concerns and Violations
Ambassador Adrienne Watson called the launch “a flagrant disregard for numerous resolutions of the UN Security Council.”
The closest ally of North Korea, China, urged all involved parties to work towards peace and stability.
On Tuesday at 10:42 p.m. (1.42 p.m. UK time), the Malligyong-1 satellite was launched from the Sohae satellite launch facility and entered orbit at 10:54 p.m., according to KCNA.
North Korea alerted Japan of its satellite launch plans after two failed attempts earlier this year.
It was also the first launch since September, when Mr. Kim met Vladimir Putin at a Russian space facility. And the Russian president pledged assistance to North Korea in satellite construction.
Although South Korean officials asserted that Russian technical assistance was most likely involved in the launch. Some missile experts argued that it is premature to conclude whether or not the assistance was completely integrated.
