The United States and South Korea perceive these satellite launches as nothing more than disguised ballistic missile tests, prohibited by a UN Security Council resolution.
Both South and North Korea are aiming to launch their own spy satellites into Earth's orbit by the end of this month, as reported by Sarbaz.kz citing Reuters.
According to sources, North Korea has notified Japan of its plans to launch a satellite between Wednesday and December 1. This launch follows two unsuccessful attempts earlier this year.
Meanwhile, South Korea plans to launch its first reconnaissance satellite of its own design on November 30 using the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Seoul aims to launch an additional four similar satellites by 2025. The country has also conducted its own rocket launches using liquid and solid fuels to facilitate future launches of its civilian satellites.
The reconnaissance satellite could offer North Korea remote monitoring capabilities of American, South Korean, and Japanese forces. Simultaneously, South Korea's reconnaissance satellite aims to reduce dependency on American surveillance systems.
The launch of these spy satellites allows both countries to expand their early warning capabilities, military targeting, damage assessment in the event of war, and communication systems.
Upon discovering debris from North Korea's unsuccessfully launched satellites, doubts have arisen in Seoul regarding their technological capabilities. Both South Korea and the United States view these satellite launches as nothing more than veiled tests of ballistic missiles prohibited by a UN Security Council resolution.
