Start in June: North Korea wants to track the US with a spy satellite

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According to state media, North Korea intends to launch a spy satellite into space in June. State news agency KCNA reported on Tuesday that this is necessary to monitor the military movements of the United States and its allies in real time, citing a senior military representative.

Japan announced on Monday that it was informed by Pyongyang of a satellite launch that will take place this week at the earliest. Tokyo warned that this could possibly be a missile test.

KCNA quoted Ri Pyong Chol, vice-chairman of the ruling party’s Central Military Commission, as saying that the “number one military reconnaissance satellite” will “launch in June.” Satellite and “multiple reconnaissance vehicles to test” are “necessary to predict, monitor and manage dangerous military actions of the United States and its vassals in real time”.

Citing Washington and Seoul’s “reckless” actions, Ri said North Korea felt the need to “expand its intelligence and intelligence capabilities and develop a variety of defensive and offensive weapons” to better prepare militarily.

The North Korean military envoy also accused the United States of “enemy air espionage activities in and around the Korean peninsula”.

According to a Pyongyang spokesperson, the Japanese coast guard has been informed that a rocket will be detonated between May 31 and June 11. Also, North Korea has issued a warning for the Yellow Sea, East China Sea and areas east of the Philippines’ island of Luzon. Such areas are often named for falling debris or rocket stages.

In 2012 and 2016, Pyongyang tested ballistic missiles, but labeled them as satellite launches. Both had flown over the southern Japanese region of Okinawa.

North Korea’s ruler, Kim Jong Un, inspected his country’s first military spy satellite in mid-May and gave the green light for his “future plan of action”.

(AFP)

Source :Blick