Pressmediaofindia
Related Articles
20-04-2023
PYONGYANG: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said his country has completed the development of its first military spy satellite and ordered officials to proceed with a planned launch, according to state media.
Kim, who was visiting the country’s National Aerospace Development Administration, said developing 
reconnaissance capabilities was a priority to counter “threats” from the United States and South Korea and that several satellites were necessary to firmly establish an intelligence-gathering capability, the state’s KCNA news agency reported on Wednesday.
Kim urged the deployment of the satellite as scheduled but did not elaborate on the launch date.
In December, North Korea conducted what it called an important “final phase” test for a spy satellite and said it would complete preparations for the launch by April.
“Securing real-time information about the hostile forces’ military scenario” is the “most important” task, Kim said.
Kim also accused the US and South Korea of expanding hostile military campaigns in the name of bolstering their alliance and claimed the US was trying to “to turn South Korea into an advanced base for aggression and an arsenal for war” by deploying military assets like aircraft carriers and nuclear-capable bombers in the region.
The US and South Korean militaries have been expanding their combined drills to beef up their deterrence against North Korea’s growing nuclear threats. This week, they launched a 12-day aerial exercise involving some 110 warplanes and staged a one-day naval missile defence exercise with Japan.
Kim accused the US of trying “to turn South Korea into an advanced base for aggression and an arsenal for war” by deploying military assets like aircraft carriers and nuclear-capable bombers in the region.
State media shared a photo of Kim talking to officials in front of a blurred-out image of an apparent satellite. He was accompanied by his daughter who has been pictured with her father at several recent missile launches and military events.
North Korea carried out a record number of missile tests in 2022 and has conducted about 30 since the start of this year as Kim looks to modernize and advance the country’s military prowess.
Last week, Pyongyang tested what it said was a solid-fueled Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), a significant breakthrough, and has also developed a nuclear-power submarine, a hypersonic missile and a multi-warhead missile although it is not clear if they are close to operational. (Int’l Monitoring Desk)
