espionage
North Korea informs Japan about satellite launch
North Korea’s ruler Kim Jong Un had announced that his country would launch three more reconnaissance satellites this year. Photo
© Uncredited/KCNA/KNS/dpa
North Korea had announced that it would launch more spy satellites into space to better monitor its enemies. Another launch is due to take place shortly.
In response to the current announcement, according to Kyodo, government officials from Japan, the US and South Korea coordinated to urge North Korea to abandon the launch. The three countries and Australia had imposed new sanctions on North Korea for launching its first spy satellite in November. They accuse Pyongyang of using technology that is directly related to its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had announced that his country would launch three more reconnaissance satellites this year.
UN resolutions prohibit North Korea from launching or even testing ballistic missiles, including ICBMs. Depending on the design, such missiles can be equipped with a nuclear warhead. North Korea is largely isolated internationally because of its nuclear weapons and missile programs. South and North Korea are each developing their own satellites to better monitor each other. South Korea launched a second reconnaissance satellite into space in April.