North Korea Announces 'April Reconnaissance Satellite'... Following Nuclear Torpedo Reveal, Promotes 'Space Program'

Nuclear Torpedo and Warhead Reveal Followed by 'Space Program' Promotion
"100% Domestic Production from Satellite Design to Assembly"
North Korea Boosts Atmosphere Ahead of 'Reconnaissance Satellite Launch'

North Korea has recently unveiled a series of new strategic weapons and is now focusing all efforts on promoting its 'space program.' With a military reconnaissance satellite launch scheduled for this month, analysts believe it is building justification for military provocations.

On the 12th, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) published an article titled "International Human Spaceflight Day and the Actively Advancing Space Development Program in Our Country," stating, "The fundamental principles of international space law, including the Outer Space Treaty, confirm that outer space is a common heritage of mankind and that all sovereign states have the legitimate rights to develop and utilize space." It emphasized, "Building our country into a world-class space power is the firm and unwavering position of our Party and government."

The National Aerospace Development Administration of North Korea announced that in December 2022, it conducted a crucial final-stage test for reconnaissance satellite development at the Dongchang-ri West Sea Satellite Launching Station in Cholsan County, North Pyongan Province. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The agency claimed, "In our country as well, in line with the global trend of space development and the spirit of the Outer Space Treaty, which defines the peaceful use of outer space as a sovereign right of states, the space development program is actively progressing with nationwide and all-people interest and expectations." It further asserted, "The Republic has already successfully placed test satellites and practical satellites, all 100% domestically produced from design to manufacturing and assembly, into orbit."

In particular, the report revealed that North Korea has newly organized related bodies such as the ▲National Emergency Space Science and Technology Committee and the ▲Korean Space Association, indicating the authorities' strong commitment to space technology development.

Recently, North Korea has consecutively unveiled new strategic weapons including the nuclear unmanned underwater attack vehicle (nuclear torpedo) "Haeil," intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), 600mm super-large multiple rocket launchers, and "tactical nuclear warheads" that can be mounted on various missile warheads. Adding to this, it has repeatedly asserted its "right to space development," drawing attention to potential future provocations. On the 1st of this month, North Korea also heavily publicized the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the National Space Development Bureau.

Previously, space technology in North Korea was managed by the Korean Committee for Space Technology. However, the committee was designated under UN sanctions after launching the "Kwangmyongsong-3 Unit 2" (claimed by the North as a satellite) via the long-range rocket "Unha-3" in December 2012. In response, North Korea established the National Space Development Bureau in April 2013 by decision of the Supreme People's Assembly.

North Korea has promoted that the National Space Development Bureau successfully carried out the launch of the Earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong-4 in February 2016 and the ground test firing of a high-thrust engine for geostationary satellite carrier rockets in September 2016. Additionally, the bureau announced in December last year that "preparations for the first military reconnaissance satellite will be completed by April 2023," and released images of the Han River bridges and Incheon port, presumed to have been taken by a 'reconnaissance satellite prototype.'

The launch date for the reconnaissance satellite is strongly expected to coincide with Kim Il-sung's birthday, the "Day of the Sun," on the 15th, but technical issues or weather conditions may cause delays. Jeong Seong-jang, head of the Unification Strategy Research Office at the Sejong Institute, predicted, "Although North Korea has announced plans to launch the reconnaissance satellite this month, no prior signs have yet been detected by South Korean and U.S. surveillance and reconnaissance assets, so it is likely that the launch will be postponed past the Day of the Sun to the latter part of this month."

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