North Korea's spy satellite has been launched. This is what South Korean officials announced, claiming that NoKor launched its third attempt on Tuesday, Nov. 21.
Although it is still unclear if the surveillance satellite's launch was successful, South Korea was still triggered by this activity. Aside from SoKor, the alleged North Korean spy satellite mission also invites strong criticisms from the U.S., as well as its partners.
South Korea Claims North Korea Launches Spy Satellite
After accusing North Korea of launching its controversial spy satellite, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol decided to approve a cabinet decision on the 2018 agreement.
With this, SoKor can now restore its surveillance operations along the border with NoKor, as reported by Nikkei Asia. Experts said that this could make the antagonism between the two Asian countries worse, especially since they are still at war.
Before the alleged launch, South Korean military officials already warned North Korea that they would take whatever measures necessary to protect the safety of their people.
"Our military will come up with necessary measures to protect the lives and safety of the people if North Korea pushes ahead with a military spy satellite launch despite our warning," said a SoKor military officer via the Associated Press.
Aside from restoring its border surveillance, the 2018 military agreement with North Korea was also partially suspended. Yoon Suk Yeol argued that Pyongyang can no longer be trusted to abide by the military deal.
Since the 2018 military agreement is being dismantled, South Korea can now step away from the confidence-building measures that the recent SoKor administration was taking, which allegedly disproportionately benefit NoKor.
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NoKor Spy Satellite Violates UN Resolutions
Recently, National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said that the alleged North Korean spy satellite violates multiple UN resolutions.
He added that this surveillance activity also raises tensions, as well as increases the risk of destabilization in the security situation of the region.
Because of this, the U.S., South Korea, Japan, and other allies condemned the surveillance aircraft. As of writing, not much is known about this spy satellite.
This means that it is unclear if it's integrated with advanced cameras that can deliver HD photos of U.S. and SoKor military maneuvers and installations to the North Korean regime.
