North Korea threatened on Saturday to “destroy” US spy satellites if Washington attempts “any attack” targeting its satellite, which has been in orbit for ten days, according to Agence France-Presse. A spokesman for the North Korean Ministry of Defense stated that such an action would be considered an “act of war,” as reported by the Korean Central News Agency.
This statement followed comments by an American official suggesting that Washington “could deny adversary space capabilities and counter-space… using a variety of means… that are irreversible,” referring to North Korea’s successful launch of a spy satellite in late November.
US Space Command spokesperson Cheryl Klinkel told Radio Free Asia this week that the US military could undermine “the effectiveness and lethality of adversary forces across all domains.”
North Korea now warns of “destroying” American spy satellites if Washington tries to “violate legitimate domains” of North Korea, pointing to its satellite program. The North Korean Defense Ministry spokesperson mentioned that if the US infringes upon its space rights, Pyongyang “would consider taking self-defense responsive measures to undermine or destroy the feasibility of US spy satellites.”
UN resolutions prohibit North Korea from conducting tests using ballistic technology, and analysts note a significant technological overlap between space launch capabilities and the development of ballistic missiles.
Experts believe that positioning a reconnaissance satellite in orbit would enhance North Korea’s intelligence-gathering capabilities, particularly over South Korea, and provide critical data in any military conflict.
Since the launch of its “Malligeum-1” satellite last week, Pyongyang claims it has monitored key locations in the US and South Korea, though no images have been published. This launch was North Korea’s third attempt to place a military spy satellite in orbit after two failed attempts in May and August.
Seoul alleges that North Korea received technical assistance from Moscow in exchange for supplying weapons for use in the Russian war with Ukraine.
