North Korea’s space authority announced that a launch vehicle had placed the satellite Marigyong 1 into orbit, as the United States condemned the “brazen violation” of United Nations resolutions.
North Korea has successfully placed its first reconnaissance satellite into orbit, defying international condemnation from the United States and its allies, the country’s space agency announced.
The National Aerospace Technology Administration announced that the Wanrikyo-1 satellite was launched from the Xihai Satellite Launch Complex at 10:42 p.m. (13:42 p.m. Japan time) on Tuesday, and was launched from North Korea at 10:54 p.m. (13:42 p.m. Japan time). It was announced that it had entered orbit at 354 minutes. The Korean Central News Agency reported.
According to a report by KCNA, the space agency plans to dispatch multiple reconnaissance satellites in the near future to ensure surveillance capabilities over South Korea and other North Korean military areas of interest.
South Korean and Japanese officials who first reported the launch said they could not immediately confirm whether the satellite had been placed in orbit.
North Korea had previously notified Japan of its plans to launch an artificial satellite between November 22nd and December 1st.
North Korea has attempted to launch so-called reconnaissance satellites twice this year but failed. South Korean officials have said in recent days that they appear ready to try again soon.
US and Japan condemn launch
The United States and its allies strongly criticized North Korea over the launch. The White House called it a “brazen violation” of U.N. resolutions.
National Security Council spokesperson Adrian Watson said in a statement that the launches “risk escalating tensions and destabilizing the security situation in the region and beyond.”
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he condemned the launch “in the strongest possible terms.”
“We have already lodged a strong protest against North Korea,” he said.
North Korea sees these launches as part of its legitimate efforts to increase its capabilities against the militaries of the United States and its allies, and has said it will develop a fleet of satellites to monitor the activities of the American and South Korean forces. ing.
KCNA reported on Tuesday that North Korea has the “sovereign right” to develop military satellites.
