Politics

Pyongyang claims latest test was for surveillance satellite development

Seoul, Feb 28 (EFE).- North Korea claimed Monday that the projectile it launched the previous day was a test of “great significance” for the development of a reconnaissance satellite.

“The DPRK National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) and the Academy of Defence Science conducted an important test on Sunday under the plan of developing a reconnaissance satellite,” reported the main state newspaper, Rodong Sinmun.

The test confirmed “the characteristics and working accuracy of high definition photographing system, data transmission system and attitude control devices,” the note said.

The text, of just three paragraphs and published on page three of the newspaper (not on the front page as is usual with important missile tests), adds that the test is of “great significance” for the development of the satellite and includes two photographs of the Korean Peninsula taken from space by the projectile launched on Sunday.

On Sunday, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that North Korea had apparently tested a ballistic missile.

Before falling into the waters of the Sea of Japan, the projectile traveled about 300 kilometers and reached a maximum height of about 620 kilometers, characteristics that may correspond to an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) launched with a very wide angle.

On Jan. 31, North Korea launched a Hwasong-12, an IRBM, and published photographs of Earth’s surface taken from the projectile, although then it did not speak of the development of a reconnaissance satellite and said that the test served to confirm the accuracy, safety and effectiveness of the missile.

Reconnaissance satellites were among the military assets that, during the single party congress in January 2021, leader Kim Jong-un announced that his country was going to develop.

In addition to the interest in developing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets, North Korea has shown signs in recent years of wanting to resume space launches. The last was in early 2016. EFE

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