Experts call NK's satellite announcement attention
This Nov. 21, 2023 photo carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency shows the launch of the North Korean military spy satellite Malligyong-1. Yonhap
Pyongyang to launch space rocket by June 4By Kwak Yeon-sooNorth Korea’s notification to the Japan Coast Guard about its plan to launch a military spy satellite just ahead of a trilateral summit involving Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing was aimed at attracting the attention of neighboring countries, according to experts, Monday.
In the notice, North Korea identified three maritime danger zones that could be affected by the planned launch sometime between Monday and June 4 — two over the West Sea and the third zone east of the Philippines.
The warning from the North came hours before South Korea, Japan and China held their first trilateral summit in more than four years in Seoul.
“The timing is purely political. North Korea wants to draw attention and show it has control over the situation on the Korean Peninsula. It also wants to create a rift between Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing by testing how China reacts to its announcement,” said Yang Moo-jin, the president of the University of North Korean Studies.
Cho Han-bum, a senior research fellow at the state-run Korea Institute for National Unification, agreed that North Korea can draw attention to itself by announcing its plan to launch a satellite during the three-way talks, but its announcement comes as part of its plan to launch three more satellites this year after the first successful launch in November 2023.
“I don’t think North Korea will launch its spy satellite when China’s Li and Japan’s Kishida are in Seoul because it can put China in an ‘awkward’ position and the North is still seeking a dialogue with Japan. I think the weather condition is crucial in deciding when to launch,” Cho said.
President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks as Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and China's Premier Li Qiang listen during a joint press conference following their trilateral summit meeting in Seoul, Monday. APF-Yonhap
A spy satellite is among several high-tech military assets North Korean leader Kim Jong-un publicly vowed to develop.
Cho said North Korea may have developed a new satellite and a space rocket, which could be a reason for delaying the launch, which was widely anticipated to happen sometime in April but is believed to have been delayed for technical improvements.
“It has been reported that a number of Russian experts went to North Korea to help with its satellite development. The North has reportedly staged more engine tests, potentially to upgrade its launch capabilities,” he said.
The Ministry of Unification called the North’s satellite launch plan a “clear violation” of a U.N. Security Council resolution that prohibits North Korea from using ballistic missile technology.
“It is a provocative act that seriously threatens our security and regional security. We strongly urge North Korea to immediately cease its satellite launch plan,” the ministry’s spokesperson said during a press briefing.
South Korea’s military said it staged air drills near the inter-Korean border in response to North Korea’s planned satellite launch. Around 20 fighter jets including F-35A, F-15K and KF-16 jets conducted drills in a central region south of a no fly-zone near the border, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
“The exercise was conducted to demonstrate our military’s capabilities to sternly punish the enemy immediately if they carry out a provocation," the JCS said in a statement.
-
16 of the Most Epic Sandwiches Around the Planet方向对了一路都是“坐票”方向对了一路都是“坐票”茗聚鹏城 香飘湾区丨饶平三滴水凤凰单丛茶亮相西雅展(深圳)New Grok response directs users to Vote.gov for election questions石棉县新政务服务大厅开始试运行(石棉手机报,新媒体)国庆假日期间我市临床急救用血有保障2023海峡两岸(泉州)“农订会”,粤字号农产品推介出圈!13 Places to Find Little Legends and Compact Cryptids深入开展今冬明春火灾防控 切实维护群众生命财产安全
下一篇:Pressure boost squeezes out more hydrogen from artificial leaves
- ·Coach jailed for sexual exploitation of underage athlete
- ·陈浩潮:“仙进奉大王”打造荔枝界新宠儿
- ·科技赋能种植全环节!番薯机种田头课在阳江举办
- ·我市三人位列“中华茶人榜样”榜单
- ·The Wonderful World of Christmas Trees
- ·今天走铁轨 明天坐火车
- ·强化质量控制 保障母婴安全
- ·国庆假期首日 供电服务不打烊
- ·NYT mini crossword answers for August 29
- ·灯饰点亮城镇,花木富美乡村,工业古镇焕新颜
- ·陈浩潮:“仙进奉大王”打造荔枝界新宠儿
- ·陈浩潮:“仙进奉大王”打造荔枝界新宠儿
- ·To Russia, with Love
- ·公共交通开进乡村田园 共享车轮带来幸福体验
- ·提升市民金融素养 增强市民保险意识
- ·师者,以德而耕 拾获山河
- ·Eng name ODI, T20I squads for Aus series
- ·600万人次参与!“鱼跃中山”水产品牌评选网络投票结果出炉
- ·滴!欢迎您乘坐广东柚创意巴士
- ·深圳普降极端特大暴雨,深圳湾口岸通关总体平稳有序
- ·A Global Tour of Bakeries With Fascinating Histories
- ·泓达堂陈皮亮相第25届中国农加工投洽会
- ·深圳普降极端特大暴雨,深圳湾口岸通关总体平稳有序
- ·顾全大局 团结协作 为绿色发展示范市建设发挥更大作用
- ·Wordle today: The answer and hints for August 29
- ·开展全会精神宣讲活动全覆盖