On Saturday, North Korea warned that any interference with its satellites would be seen as a declaration of war.
According to North Korea’s state media KCNA, the country released a statement that said, “In case the U.S. tries to violate the legitimate territory of a sovereign state by weaponizing the latest technologies illegally and unjustly, the DPRK will consider taking responsive action measures for self-defense to undermine or destroy the viability of the U.S. spy satellites.”
This statement insinuates that North Korea would quickly attempt to destroy U.S. satellites if the U.S. were to destroy North Korea’s.
North Korea said any interference with or attack on its satellite operations by the United States would be deemed ‘a declaration of war,’ and that it would mobilize its war deterrence if any attack against its strategic assets were imminent https://t.co/S1fVPug76C pic.twitter.com/zYkXIZrVQl
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 2, 2023
North Korea’s statement comes after the U.S., South Korea and other countries condemned North Korea for successfully launching its first spy satellite. Since its launch on Nov. 21, this military satellite has reportedly flown over various countries, including South Korea, Japan and the U.S.
Many sensitive areas, such as where U.S. bases and military installations are located, were allegedly seen by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
However, some South Korean officials don’t believe that these photos were taken, as they state it can take a long time for spy satellite objectives to be reached. South Korean officials did state that they weren’t sure what capabilities these North Korean spy satellites had.
Regardless of what North Korea’s spy satellites can or cannot do, analysts state that the launch has increased tensions in the region.
Many sanctions have subsequently been put on North Korea by the U.S. after this satellite launch. South Korea also blacklisted 11 North Koreans who they accused of being involved with their country’s satellite development.
Broadcaster RFA reported that a U.S. Space Command spokesman said that the U.S. could potentially stop North Korea’s spy objectives in different ways. However, there was no specific information given about how these spy satellites could be stopped, if they were to be deemed a threat while they were in U.S. airspace.
