North Korea's Kim Orders Launch of First Spy Satellite

Facts

• North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced that his country had completed the development of its first military spy satellite and ordered its launch to proceed at an undisclosed date, the state-run KCNA news agency reported on Wednesday.¹
• Given what he described as "threats" by the US and South Korea, he ordered the deployment of several reconnaissance satellites during a visit to North Korea's space agency on Tuesday and declared the expansion of intelligence-gathering capabilities a national priority.²
• Citing analysts at South Korea's Sejong Institute, The Korea Times reported on Wednesday that Pyongyang is expected to stick to its plan, initially announced in December 2022, to launch the satellite this month in a bid to bolster the country's reconnaissance capability.³
• The KCNA report comes after Pyongyang last week claimed to have test-fired a new solid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), with experts pointing to significant technological similarities linking ICBM technology to space-launch capabilities.⁴
• During his Tuesday announcement, the North Korean leader claimed that Washington is turning South Korea into an "advanced base for aggression," as the US and South Korea are ramping up joint military drills aimed at bolstering deterrence against North Korea's nuclear buildup.⁵
• North Korea successfully put its first Earth observation satellite into orbit in 2012 and its second in 2016, prompting UN sanctions. However, neither of the two Earth observation satellites reportedly succeeded in sending imagery back to North Korea.⁶

Sources: ¹Al Jazeera, ²DW, ³Korea Times, ⁴France 24, ⁵The Economic Times, and ⁶Firstpost.

Narratives

• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Press TV. North Korea's development of a spy satellite, along with its first test launch of a solid-fueled ICBM, is the direct result of ongoing US military threats against the nation under the guise of strengthening regional security. By using South Korea for its aggressive imperial agenda, Washington is threatening North Korea's sovereignty and territorial integrity. If the US proceeds on its path of escalation, North Korea reserves the right to resort to using pre-emptive military force to ensure its security.
• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by CNN. North Korea's spy satellite, together with the regime's frequent missile tests, only underscores the mounting threat the North poses to South Korea and regional stability. But Kim's saber-rattling will only strengthen South Korea's alliance with the US and its will to defend its territorial integrity. Kim understands only the language of power, and stepped-up US deterrence is the only way to protect South Korea from the aggressor while forcing Pyongyang back to the negotiating table.