Kim Jong-un Inspects 'National Space Development Agency'... Expresses Will to 'Strengthen Military Power' (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, inspected the National Space Development Agency and expressed his determination to deploy a large number of reconnaissance satellites within five years.

The Workers' Party organ, Rodong Sinmun, reported on the 10th, "The General Secretary expressed great satisfaction with the recent important tests of reconnaissance satellites, confirming the methods of aerospace photography, the operational characteristics of high-resolution imaging equipment, and the reliability of the image data transmission system."

General Secretary Kim emphasized, "The purpose of developing and operating military reconnaissance satellites is to provide real-time information on the anti-Republic military actions of the U.S. imperialist invasion forces and their followers in the South Korea region, Japan region, and the Pacific Ocean to the Republic's armed forces."

He added, "To this end, I fully support the National Space Development Agency's determination to firmly establish the capability of reconnaissance information collection by deploying a large number of military reconnaissance satellites in sun-synchronous polar orbits during the five-year plan period."

General Secretary Kim stressed the purpose of reconnaissance satellite development, saying, "It is a strategic and tactical policy of our Party to thoroughly monitor and identify the hostile military actions of the U.S. imperialist invasion forces and their followers against the Republic in the Korean Peninsula and surrounding areas, enhance situation management capabilities, and improve the rapid response capability of the national armed forces according to the relevant situations."

He also stated, "The project for reconnaissance satellite development is not merely a scientific research project or a means of reconnaissance information collection, but it is the protection of our independent rights and national interests, a dignified exercise of self-defense rights, and at the same time an enhancement of national prestige." He emphasized, "This urgent project to improve the nation's war deterrence and complete the country's war preparedness capability is the most important political and military precondition and revolutionary task on the ground that our Party and government prioritize."

The report did not disclose the date of Kim Jong-un's inspection, but considering that North Korean media usually report related news the day after events, it is estimated to have taken place on the 9th, when the 20th presidential election was underway. This appears to express the determination to continue strengthening military power regardless of South Korea's election schedule.

Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies said, "The fact that the General Secretary personally visited suggests that they are setting the launch timing around next month's Day of the Sun (April 15, Kim Il-sung's birthday) and the overlapping period of South Korea-U.S. military exercises." He added, "Although it is still before the termination, it is also a step to break the moratorium while pressuring the United States."

North Korea launched medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) on the 27th of last month and the 5th of this month, claiming these were "tests for reconnaissance satellite development." The technology for launching reconnaissance satellites can also be repurposed for intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches, so North Korea's recent moves are interpreted as steps toward breaking the "moratorium" previously declared on ICBM and nuclear development suspension.

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