NK spy satellite feared to pose new threat to S. Korea
In this photo carried by North Korean state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Wednesday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un celebrates with workers over what the state claims was a successful launch of a military reconnaissance satellite on Tuesday night. Yonhap
Surveillance satellite may help Pyongyang conduct precision missile strikesBy Lee Hyo-jinNorth Korea's launch of a military spy satellite — if proven to be successful in terms of its surveillance functions — will pose heightened security threats to South Korea, analysts said Wednesday.
While it may take a few days, if not weeks, to fully determine whether North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's ambition to obtain a military reconnaissance satellite has been achieved, experts said the launch itself shows a significant improvement in Pyongyang's satellite technologies.
North Korea fired a rocket carrying what it claimed to be a military reconnaissance satellite "Malligyong-1" from Tongchang-ri, North Pyongan Province, at 10:43 p.m., Tuesday, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JSC).
The satellite was accurately placed into the designated orbit about 12 minutes after liftoff, as reported by the North's state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Wednesday morning. The KCNA referred to the launch as the nation's "legitimate right to bolster its self-defense capabilities."
Tuesday's launch marked the North's third attempt following two previous botched endeavors earlier this year.
The South Korean military did not immediately verify whether the launch was a success.
"North Korea made a hasty announcement about the success, which is difficult to accept at face value. We will make a judgment after further analyzing various information, including data shared by the United States," a senior defense official told reporters, Wednesday.
Later in the day, the authorities said the satellite seemed to have entered into orbit.
"The so-called 'military reconnaissance satellite' launched by North Korea has been evaluated to have entered orbit, based on comprehensive analysis of flight trajectory information and other data," the JCS said in a text message sent to reporters.
But it added that confirmation of whether the satellite is properly functioning requires additional analysis through the coordinated efforts of relevant agencies.
Shin Jong-woo, a senior researcher at the Korea Defense and Security Forum, a think tank, also said it is too early to make a judgment.
"Just entering orbit doesn't mean that the launch was successful. The satellite would need to deploy its solar panels and then undergo attitude control. We will be able to hear from the North in the coming days if the satellite can actually be utilized," he said.
"Otherwise, it will just be space junk."
Nevertheless, Shin pointed out that Tuesday's launch indicates visible technological advancement, which may pose serious threats to Seoul's national security, as the North is expected to send up multiple spy satellites in the future.
Touting the successful launch, the KCNA reported that the national space agency plans to launch more spy satellites in the near future to continue strengthening its surveillance capabilities over South Korea and other regions related to its military operation.
Yang Moo-jin, the president of the University of North Korean Studies, said the North's space-based surveillance system, if properly established, will serve as the eye for North Korea in launching more accurate missile strikes.
"Operational spy satellite is not only capable of obtaining real-time information about South Korea's military assets, but it would also bolster the regime's ability to conduct accurate missile strikes on targets," he said.
The spy satellite's surveillance activities could stretch beyond the Korean Peninsula to key U.S. military bases in Guam and Japan.
However, it remains to be seen whether its camera is advanced enough to deliver high-resolution images. Little is known about the satellite's technical capabilities, such as camera operating technology, data processing and the transmission ability of its communication devices.
When the South Korean military retrieved parts of a North Korean spy satellite that plunged into the West Sea in May, authorities assessed that the device had no military utility as a reconnaissance satellite.
But this time may be different, according to experts, who believe that Russia provided technological support for the latest launch.
When North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia's space center in September, the latter pledged to help Pyongyang modernize its satellite technology.
"Kim Jong-un would not have sent millions of artillery shells to Russia just to get some technical advice," Yang said, speculating that the satellite sent up on Tuesday is equipped with enhanced imaging technology with assistance from Russia.
Chang Young-keun, director of the missile center at the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy, commented that Russia may provide further assistance.
"If North Korea continues to receive support from Russia in the future, it might explore other options such as securing or facilitating the purchase of hardware technologies necessary for accelerating satellite development," he said.
(责任编辑:新闻中心)
-
20 Places to Eat Dumplings and Noodles for Lunar New Year
Every Lunar New Year, billions of people gather to celebrate with their families—and to feast. While ...[详细] -
Best smart home deals this week
Our top picks:Best smart speaker dealEcho Dot (5th gen) with a free Sengled Smart Color Bulb$49.99 a ...[详细] -
Norris stuns Verstappen at Dutch GP
ZANDVOORT:McLaren's Lando Norris stormed to victory at the Dutch Grand Prix Sunday, a superb dri ...[详细] -
Google Search tries new tactics for limiting explicit deepfakes
The explosion of nonconsensual deepfake imagery online in the past year, particularly of female cele ...[详细] -
Jess McAllen ,July 25, 2024 Value Judgment ...[详细]
-
竹编体验本报讯8月23日,雅安市总工会2024年职工子女暑期托管班结业仪式举行,为期三周的暑期托管班落下帷幕。结业仪式上,非遗竹编手艺人冯树巍向暑期托管班孩童教授竹编技艺。在老师生动讲解下,孩子们兴奋 ...[详细]
-
We Cannot Live Without Cryptography!
You're about to wind up your day and use your smartphone to check what's in your smart fridge to dec ...[详细] -
近日,雅安市首届“文轩教育”校园足球精英夏令营顺利闭营。活动以市级联赛冠军队伍为班底,精英选手作为补充,遴选120名足球运动员、30名领队教练员参与,活动为期6天,共设置6个组别。市教育局相关负责人介 ...[详细]
-
Most of you are no doubt familiar with Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, IBM, Texas Instruments, and possibly ev ...[详细]
-
8月25日中午,烈日当头,热浪滚滚。环卫工人王芳走进青江街道汉碑路社区户外劳动服务站点汉驿站,从冰箱里拿出今天的午饭。“我一上午在马路两侧来回保洁,到了中午能到驿站休息一会儿,喝点凉水,感觉非常舒服。 ...[详细]
A Barbie flip phone is here from HMD
U.S. Senators call on FTC to investigate the security of drivers' data
- Apple Watch 10 rumors: Everything we know so far
- A Barbie flip phone is here from HMD
- Best smart home deals this week
- Best smart home deal: The Amazon Smart Thermostat is just $63.99
- World's first green ammonia plant is now open for business
- 'Terminator Zero' creators find fresh life in sci
- 海丰芥蓝入选全国名特优新农产品名录