By The newspaper
Nov 27, 2023, 10:17 PM EST
North Korea claims its recently deployed spy satellite has successfully captured images of high-profile American landmarks, including the White House and the Pentagon, in remarks that add tension to international relations,
Kim Jong-un himself visited the control center of the National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA) in Pyongyang to witness the alleged surveillance images.
Kim’s inspection of the NATA Control Center
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made a publicized visit to the control center of the National Aerospace Technology Administration in Pyongyang, the Reuters news agency revealed.
During the visit, he reportedly viewed satellite images showing the White House, the Pentagon, the Norfolk Naval Base and the Newport News shipyards. These locations are crucial to American defense, hosting aircraft carriers and submarine assembly facilities.
In addition, North Korea’s state news agency, KCNA, provided specific details about the alleged surveillance, according to the EFE agency.
The photographs were reportedly taken around 11:35 pm local time on Monday, providing a time stamp to validate the claims. In particular, the report highlighted the detection of “four American nuclear aircraft carriers and one British aircraft carrier” at the Norfolk naval base and the Newport News shipyards.
Preparations for North Korea’s operational capacity
Kim Jong-un received a detailed report on preparations for the commissioning of the Malligyong-1 reconnaissance satellite. By accelerating efforts to make the satellite operational a day or two ahead of the initially planned date (December 1), North Korea is emphasizing its commitment to advancing its technological prowess in space surveillance.
While North Korea boasts of capturing images of US military bases on Guam and key installations, it has yet to release any actual photographs obtained by its newly launched satellite.
Last year, South Korea criticized the resolution of images from a North Korean test device, questioning their quality. However, experts highlight that the mere deployment of the satellite is a significant advance, potentially allowing Pyongyang to monitor troop movements and identify targets for possible preventive actions.
The National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA) has outlined its future plans, revealing intentions to present a comprehensive plan to launch additional reconnaissance satellites during North Korea’s upcoming one-party plenary session, scheduled for late December. This move aligns with North Korea’s ambition to enhance its space-based surveillance capabilities.
As the international community watches closely, North Korea’s foray into advanced satellite technology is raising concerns about the potential implications for global security.
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