South Korea launches a commercial-grade satellite for the first time as North Korea pushes to place its first military spy satellite into orbit.
and India in a regional space race. Lee, the science minister, said South Korea plans to conduct three more Nuri rocket launches by 2027 and will seek to develop more advanced launch vehicles. The launch was initially scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed at the last minute due to a technical problem.
Last year, South Korea used a Nuri rocket to place a “performance verification satellite" in orbit, becoming the world’s 10th nation to send a satellite into space with its own technology. But that launch was primarily designed to test the rocket. Many experts say Thursday's launch will also help South Korea accumulate technologies and knowhow to operate military spy satellites and build long-range missiles. South Korea is expected to launch its first spy satellite later this year. It currently relies on U.S. spy satellites to monitor North Korean facilities. Lee Choon Geun, an honorary research fellow at South Korea’s Science and Technology Policy Institute, noted that the satellite launched Thursday is designed to be placed in a sun-synchronous orbit, which is typically used for reconnaissance satellites. South Korea already has missiles capable of reaching all of North Korea. But experts say it needs longer-range missiles to prepare for future security threats from potential adversaries China and Russia. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high following North Korea’s barrage of missiles tests since the beginning of last year. Some of the tests demonstrated its potential ability to launch nuclear strikes on the mainland U.S. and South Korea and Japan. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is seeking to develop more sophisticated weapons systems, including a spy satellite, to cope with what he calls intensifying U.S. and South Korean hostilities. Analysts say Kim wants to use an expanded weapons arsenal to win greater concessions from Washington in future dealings. “North Korea must be so concerned about the South Korean satellite launch Thursday because much of Kim Jong Un’s interest now is in possessing a spy satellite,” said Moon Seong Mook, an analyst for the Seoul-based Korea Research Institute for National Strategy. “He has a strong desire to launch a spy satellite before South Korea does.” Recent commercial satellite imagery of North Korea’s main launch center in the northwest shows activities that suggest “a new level of urgency in making the site ready to accommodate satellite launches,” 38 North, a North Korea-focused website, said Wednesday. It said the images indicate progress on a new launch pad is moving forward “at a remarkable pace.” Last week, Kim examined a finished spy satellite and approved a plan for its launch during a visit to the country’s aerospace agency. The spy satellite disclosed in North Korean state media doesn’t appear sophisticated enough to produce high-resolution imagery. But Lee, the expert at the Science and Technology Policy Institute, said it is likely to be capable of monitoring deployment of U.S. strategic assets such as an aircraft carrier and the movements of South Korean warships and fighter jets.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
South Korea asks US to review China rule for chip subsidiesSouth Korea has asked Washington to review its criteria for new semiconductor subsidies, concerned over the impact of rules to limit chip investment in countries such as China, a U.S. public filing showed.
Read more »
South Korea, US troops to hold massive live-fire drills near border with North KoreaThe South Korean and U.S. militaries are to hold massive live-fire drills Thursday near the inter-Korean border. North Korea has warned that it won’t tolerate what it calls such a hostile invasion rehearsal on its doorstep. Seoul says the drills are to involve fighter jets, attack helicopters, multiple rocket launch systems and other weapons. They mark 70 years since the establishment of the military alliance between Seoul and Washington. North Korea typically reacts to such major South Korean-U.S. exercises with missile tests. It has performed a torrid run of missile tests for the past year and a half but none since it fired a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile in mid-April.
Read more »
South Korea, US to hold 'annihilation' drills near North Korea borderSouth Korean and US militaries prepare to launch massive live-fire drills near border with North Korea, despite North's warning against what it calls a hostile invasion rehearsal on its doorstep
Read more »
South Korea launches first commercial-grade satellite, as North Korea plans first spy satelliteSouth Korea has launched a commercial-grade satellite for the first time as part of its growing space development program, as rival North Korea is pushing to place its first military spy satellite into orbit.
Read more »
South Korea, US to Hold Massive Live-Fire Drill Near Border Despite North Korea‘s ProtestsThursday’s drills, the first of the allies’ five rounds of firing exercises until mid-June, mark 70 years since the establishment of the military alliance between Seoul and Washington.
Read more »
South Korea, US troops hold large live-fire drills near border with North KoreaThe South Korean and U.S. militaries conducted large live-fire drills near the border with North Korea on Thursday, despite the North’s warning that it won’t tolerate what it calls an invasion rehearsal on its doorstep. Since the start of 2022, North Korea has test-launched more than 100 missiles, but none since it fired a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile in mid-April. It says the tests are a response to expanded military drills between the U.S. and South Korea, but observers say North Korea aims to advance its weapons development and then wrest greater concessions from its rivals in eventual diplomacy.
Read more »