North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Inspects Spy Satellite Images of Major Target Regions, Including US Military Base at Pearl Harbor, KCNA Reports
North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un has recently inspected spy satellite images of what state media has referred to as “major target regions” including South Korean capital Seoul and the United States military base at Pearl Harbor.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim specifically examined photos of several US and South Korean military bases, such as Naval Station Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, during a visit to the National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA) in Pyongyang.
The third-generation leader of North Korea also viewed images of South Korean cities hosting military installations, including Busan, Mokpo, Kunsan, Pyeongtaek, and Osan. The images allegedly included a picture of the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, currently stationed in Busan.
Kim’s tour of the NATA comes on the heels of Pyongyang’s announcement that it had successfully placed its first spy satellite, Malligyong-1, into orbit, drawing condemnation from the United States, Japan, and South Korea. The satellite launch defied UN sanctions aimed at impeding North Korea’s missile development.
Considering recent ties between North Korea and Russia, analysts have suggested that Pyongyang received assistance from Russia in launching the satellite after two previous failed attempts.
South Korean defence officials and analysts remain cautious regarding the actual capabilities of the satellite, emphasizing the need for more time to assess its potential impact.
In response to North Korea’s claims regarding the satellite launch, South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik remarked that the brief passage of time since the launch would make it challenging to conduct normal reconnaissance activities. However, North Korean state media continue to report on Kim’s inspection of satellite images, including those of military installations in the US Pacific territory of Guam.
Following Kim’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Russia’s main space launch centre, Putin pledged to assist Pyongyang in advancing its space program, solidifying the growing cooperation between North Korea and Russia in recent months.
The intensifying isolation of North Korea on the international stage and the strengthening relationship between North Korea and Russia have sparked concerns and condemnation from key players in the region, adding to the complexity of the situation.
