Shin Won-sik: "First Military Reconnaissance Satellite to Launch from Vandenberg, USA on the 30th"

First Press Briefing After Minister Shin Won-sik's Inauguration
"North Korea's Reconnaissance Satellite Likely to Launch by Late November"
"Relocation of Hong Beom-do Bust Within Korea Military Academy Not Possible This Year"

On the 3rd, Shin Won-sik, Minister of National Defense, announced at a press briefing held at the Defense Convention in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, that “our military's first reconnaissance satellite will be launched on the 30th from Vandenberg Base in California, USA, aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket.”

Regarding North Korea's reconnaissance satellite launch trends, Minister Shin said, “Based on identified signs, it does not seem likely to be launched within 1 to 2 weeks,” and added, “There is a possibility it could be launched around the end of November.”

Shin Won-sik, the nominee for Minister of National Defense, is delivering opening remarks at the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 27th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Military reconnaissance satellites are a core force that serves as the ‘eyes’ of the kill chain (preemptive strike) against North Korea. The first reconnaissance satellite can identify objects as small as 30 cm on the ground from an altitude of several hundred kilometers using electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) imaging. In addition to the first satellite, the military plans to launch four high-performance synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites by 2025 to observe North Korea’s nuclear and missile bases in real time every two hours.

Regarding the background of the cancellation of the launch North Korea had announced for October, he said, “It seems that reinforcing the third-stage engine is taking time.” On Russia’s technical support, he stated, “Since Putin (President of Russia) has publicly mentioned it, I believe they are providing a lot of specific technology.”

On responding to military provocations, he said, “There is no way to protect our lives other than to respond more decisively and immediately,” and added, “We will respond much more strongly than Israel did to Hamas.” He further emphasized, “I hope Kim Jong-un will listen,” and “If provocations occur, we intend to make it feel like the beginning of the collapse of the Kim Jong-un regime.”

Minister Shin emphasized that he will not hold Marine commanders personally responsible for the death of Corporal Chae Mo in the Marine Corps incident. Regarding Marine Corps Commander Kim Gye-hwan (Lieutenant General), he said, “I intend to guarantee his term,” and stressed, “No flaws have been found that warrant replacement. (The allegations against Commander Kim) are all one-sided claims and speculation, and replacing him now would be dishonorable and a dismissal.”

Additionally, Minister Shin announced that the first commander of the Strategic Command (hereafter Strategic Command), which will be established in the second half of next year to respond to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, will be appointed from among Air Force Lieutenant Generals (three-star generals).

Regarding the relocation of General Hong Beom-do’s bust outside the Army Academy, Minister Shin said, “Perhaps my persuasion was insufficient, as there are still negative opinions. More communication and persuasion with the public are needed, so it seems difficult to relocate it within this year,” and added, “It has already become a frame of neglecting independence activists, so unnecessary conflict costs must also be considered.”

He also stated that the ruling party’s plan to incorporate Gimpo City in Gyeonggi Province into Seoul as a party policy does not pose significant security issues. Minister Shin said, “If the capital is relocated, many things will change, but this is a change in the boundary line,” and added, “If Gimpo becomes part of Seoul, we can decide whether to assign the army division or marines responsible for Gimpo to the Capital Defense Command. Adjusting units due to changes in responsibility areas is not a difficult task.”

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