North Korea Announces Satellite Development... Is It a Message to the Biden Administration?

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Dong-pyo]At the time of the change in the U.S. administration, North Korea held a space science and technology forum, indirectly revealing its determination to develop satellites and long-range rockets.

Korean Central News Agency reported on the 2nd that "the 'Space Science and Technology Forum-2020' was held, hosted by the Central Committee of the Korean Science and Technology Federation."

The 'Artificial Earth Satellite Subcommittee' held a separate forum, where materials that could improve the lifespan, safety, and operational accuracy of satellites and components attracted experts' attention, the agency said. In addition, forums on space observation and basic science, space materials and elements, and applied technology were held, with over 170 papers presented.

The agency explained the background of the event as "to widely introduce, disseminate, and generalize the scientific and technological achievements made in the project to implement a peaceful space development policy and to actively promote the development of space science and technology," but since subcommittee forums were held and satellites were emphasized, it appears to indirectly reveal the determination to develop long-range rockets.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) prohibits North Korea from launching rockets using ballistic missile technology, including cases where satellites are carried. This is because the launch vehicle technology used to place satellites into orbit is similar to intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) technology.

North Korea launched the Unha-3 in December 2012 and the Kwangmyongsong in February 2016, claiming to launch satellites. Military authorities consider the Kwangmyongsong and Unha-3 to be the same launch vehicle.

Furthermore, since these launch vehicles and ICBMs share core technologies such as the airframe, propulsion system, and guidance control devices, it is judged that by supplementing only some technologies like reentry vehicle technology, space launch vehicles can be converted into ICBMs. In other words, North Korea claims the tests are for satellite launch vehicles, but in fact, they are preliminary tests for ICBM launches.

However, North Korea has continuously expressed its intention to continue satellite launches under the banner of "peaceful space development." This forum is particularly notable as it was held while the new U.S. administration under Joe Biden was about to take office. North Korea first held the Space Science and Technology Forum in 2014 and launched the Korean Space Association in 2016. Although the forum has been held annually, it was not held in 2018, the year of the first-ever North Korea-U.S. summit, without any particular explanation, leading to analysis that this was in consideration of changes in North Korea-U.S. relations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.