VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, CA—South Korea launched its first military surveillance satellite into space on Friday, less than a week after North Korea claimed to have launched its own spy satellite into orbit for the first time as tensions between the adversaries escalate.
It was the first of five surveillance satellites South Korea hopes to launch into space by 2025 under a contract with SpaceX, and it was launched from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base using SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. The event was originally set for earlier in the week but was rescheduled due to inclement weather.
South Korea lacked its own military observation satellites in orbit and had to rely on US spy satellites to watch North Korean actions.
The launch was deemed successful by South Korea's Defense Ministry, which stated that the satellite communicated with an outside base station.
According to a ministry statement, the launch enabled South Korea's military to establish an autonomous space-based monitoring system. It also stated that the satellite will assist strengthen the military's preemptive missile strike capacity, which is a crucial component of its so-called three-axis system, which also includes missile defense and enormous retaliation capabilities.
After two failed launches earlier this year, North Korea said this week that it had successfully launched its Malligyong-1 spy satellite into orbit. Since then, North Korea has claimed that its satellite has relayed photos of critical facilities in the United States and South Korea, including the White House and the Pentagon. However, no satellite images have been provided.
The North Korean satellite entered orbit, according to US and South Korean authorities, although many outside analysts doubt it can provide military-useful high-resolution photos.
The launch of a North Korean satellite drew rapid and harsh condemnation from the United States, South Korea, and others. Several United Nations Security Council resolutions prohibit North Korean satellite launches, using them as cover for testing long-range missile technologies.
North Korea reacted strongly, claiming sovereign rights to launch surveillance satellites in response to what it deems growing US hostility. It also stated that it will introduce more.
North Korea's Defense Ministry warned on Saturday to take unspecified means to remove or weaken the capability of US surveillance satellites in response to what it called "rubbish" statements by an anonymous US official. An officer from Space Command hinted about a strike on the North Korean satellite. The North Korean ministry stated that such a move would be considered a declaration of war.
The declaration came after statements by Sheryll Klinkel, a public affairs official for the United States. Space Forces, which were broadcast earlier this week by Radio Free Asia, a US government-funded news program.
When asked if the US has the capability to disable North Korea's spy satellite, Ms. Klinkel responded, "Joint Force space operations could deny an adversary's space and counterspace capabilities and services using a variety of reversible and irreversible means, reducing the effectiveness and lethality of adversary forces across all domains."
North Korea's satellite launch has heightened tensions between the two Koreas, prompting the rivals to violate a prior military deal aimed to reduce front-line military tensions.
Among the high-tech weaponry systems that Kim Jong Un has publicly promised to introduce are spy satellites. North Korea has conducted around 100 ballistic missile tests since 2022 as part of its efforts to update its stockpile of missiles aimed against South Korea and the United States. South Korea and the United States have increased military drills.
Last week, South Korea's intelligence service told legislators that Russia's technological support enabled North Korea to launch its spy satellite into orbit. South Korea, the United States, and Japan have accused North Korea of attempting to get high-tech Russian technology required to improve its military programs in exchange for delivering conventional armaments to Russia's conflict in Ukraine. Russia and North Korea have both refuted the accusation.
