North Korea has unveiled its maiden spy satellite, Malligyong-1, as it embarks on a global orbit, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s foray into space exploration. Positioned in the clandestine landscapes of North Gyeongsang Province, North Korea, the rocket’s launch heralds a message to the world: North Korea asserts its capability to surveil and monitor global activities.
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Decades of scrutiny by foreign governments and analysts have culminated in this groundbreaking move, as North Korea defiantly declares its ability to observe the world’s powerhouses. The geopolitical arena shuddered on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, as North Korean state media disclosed that leader Kim Jong Un had scrutinized spy satellite images capturing the White House, Pentagon, and even US aircraft carriers stationed at the Norfolk naval base. The revelation underscores a new era where North Korea positions itself as a global watcher, challenging established norms of surveillance dominance.
Skepticism Surrounds Malligyong-1
The recent triumph in launching its inaugural reconnaissance satellite, ostensibly designed to monitor US and South Korean military activities, amplifies North Korea’s assertiveness in the realm of space technology. State media reports have since detailed the satellite’s reconnaissance missions, extending beyond the Korean Peninsula to encompass cities and military installations in South Korea, Guam, Italy, and the heart of the United States.
Chad O’Carroll, the visionary founder of the North Korea-focused website NK News, likened the unfolding events to the exhilaration of unwrapping a long-desired Christmas gift. He emphasized the magnitude of North Korea’s claims in the international arena.
However, skepticism looms over the actual capabilities of Malligyong-1, as Pyongyang has yet to release any tangible imagery. Analysts and foreign governments find themselves in a complex dance of speculation, debating the true potential of North Korea’s latest technological marvel.
South Korea, slated to launch its own spy satellite on a US Falcon 9 rocket, confronts a weather-induced delay but questions the veracity of North Korea’s proclaimed satellite capabilities.
Amidst the uncertainty, Dave Schmerler, a seasoned expert in satellite imagery at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, acknowledges that even a medium-resolution camera can provide North Korea with significant surveillance capabilities. Yet, the utility of such images remains contingent on the strategic objectives of the reclusive state.
North Korea’s Push for Medium-Resolution Satellite Arsenal
For North Korea to wield these capabilities effectively in times of conflict, Schmerler contends that a proliferation of medium-resolution satellites is imperative—a goal the North’s space agency has declared it is actively pursuing.
“It’s a substantial leap for them going from zero to something, but until we can see the images they’re collecting, we’re speculating on its use cases,” remarked Dave Schmerler, a satellite imagery expert at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS). The cautious tone underscores the prevailing uncertainty surrounding North Korea’s newfound satellite capabilities.
Adding to the intrigue, Jeffrey Lewis, another researcher at CNS, observed a state media photo depicting Kim Jong Un examining the satellite images alongside his daughter, suggesting a potential use of panchromatic technology. Panchromatic imaging, a type of black-and-white photography sensitive to all wavelengths of visible light, raises questions about the nature and extent of the surveillance capabilities embedded in Malligyong-1.
Biden’s Call for Condemnation on North Korea’s Satellite Launch
On Tuesday, November 28, the White House issued a resolute condemnation of the satellite launch, asserting a strong stance against North Korea’s actions. The administration, led by President Biden, emphasized the violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions explicitly prohibiting North Korea from utilizing ballistic missile technology.
In a statement, the Biden administration revealed ongoing assessments by the president and his national security team, undertaken in close collaboration with allies and partners. The gravity of the situation was underscored as the administration urged all nations to denounce the launch, calling on North Korea to engage in substantive negotiations.
This pivotal event unfolded against the backdrop of two previous unsuccessful attempts in May and August, heightening the significance of North Korea’s persistent pursuit of satellite capabilities. Remarkably, Kim Jong Un himself reportedly witnessed the launch, adding a personal dimension to the geopolitical tension surrounding the technological feat.
In a consequential response, South Korea opted to suspend a crucial no-fly zone agreement with its northern counterpart in the aftermath of the satellite launch. This particular zone, situated near the demilitarized border between the two countries, assumes strategic importance. The suspension marked a tangible and immediate repercussion, signaling the widening ripples of North Korea’s actions across the Korean Peninsula.
History Unveils Clues to Recent Satellite Launch
North Korea’s history with panchromatic imagery becomes a focal point of analysis, as it previously released such images of downtown Seoul in December 2022. The state asserted that it was a test of satellite control, image capture, and data downlink—a precursor to the military reconnaissance satellite unveiled in the recent launch. The cascade of images presented by KCNA, labeled as “major target regions,” amplifies the aura of mystery surrounding North Korea’s strategic intentions.
The scope of North Korea’s surveillance extends beyond its borders, with Kim Jong Un inspecting satellite photos of the Andersen Air Force Base in Guam and a US shipyard and airbase in Norfolk and Newport. Notably, the imagery purportedly captures the presence of four nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, along with a British aircraft carrier. The lack of immediate commercial imagery from the alleged date of the photographs, November 27, deepens the enigma, leaving analysts and governments alike in a state of anticipation.
In response to the satellite launch, the United States and South Korea have issued condemnations, branding it a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions that prohibit the use of ballistic technology. As diplomatic tensions escalate, the climax of this unfolding narrative hinges on the unveiling of the actual surveillance footage—images that hold the key to understanding North Korea’s ambitions and the true extent of Malligyong-1’s capabilities.
