[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] North Korea Announces Normal Reconnaissance Satellite Mission on the 1st... Will It Release Photos?

North Korea has set the official mission start date of its recently successfully launched military reconnaissance satellite, ‘Manlilkyung-1,’ as the 1st, drawing attention to whether it will reveal satellite images as its first action.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un has visited the Pyongyang Integrated Control Center of the National Aerospace Technology General Bureau three times, claiming that the reconnaissance satellite captured images of the U.S. Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson docked at Busan Port, as well as areas including Pyeongtaek and Seoul, and that it passed over Hawaii airspace capturing images of U.S. Navy and Air Force bases.

North Korea announced the successful launch of the military reconnaissance satellite about three hours after its launch on the night of the 21st of last month and stated that it is conducting detailed satellite control operations. Although the satellite appears to have entered orbit normally, no images have been released, so it remains unclear whether communication with ground stations is functioning well or if the satellite has a resolution useful for military purposes.

Entered Orbit Normally, but Satellite Images Not Released

However, judging from Chairman Kim’s remarks expressing satisfaction with the reconnaissance satellite’s activities, North Korea is expected to begin the official reconnaissance satellite mission as planned from the 1st. Nonetheless, it is highly likely that images will not be released citing military utility reasons.

During the first launch in May, the resolution of Manlilkyung-1 recovered by our military was only 3 meters, leading to the assessment that it had no military utility. At that time, the North Korean reconnaissance satellite was equipped with a Japanese-made digital camera, and analysis showed that the resolution was insufficient for military use. Military authorities are reportedly leaning toward the possibility that a camera of similar grade was installed this time as well.

A military official said, “North Korea claims to have photographed South Korean and U.S. military facilities using Manlilkyung-1, but this is a ‘propaganda strategy with low credibility.’”

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