North Korea has spy satellite: ‘very important’

North Korea has successfully placed a military spy satellite into orbit. According to state media, Kim Jong-un used the satellite to view satellite images of a US air base in Guam, a US island east of the Philippines.

The satellite launch is North Korea’s third. If the North Korean state media is to be believed, the satellite is working at the moment. “Access to this satellite gives Kim Jong-un a huge advantage in a conflict with South Korea, Japan or the United States,” says Remko Brooker, professor of Korean studies.

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According to Brooker, it is unclear whether the North Korean leader actually has images of the US air base. ‘North Korean propaganda is certainly unbelievable. But I think it’s more likely to be true. I don’t think he would say that.’

Nuclear weapons

North Korea has nuclear weapons and missiles capable of launching those nuclear weapons into space. Now that the country also has a satellite, the situation has not improved according to Brooker. ‘North Korea has found a more reliable way to identify target locations with nuclear weapons via satellite. That’s very interesting.’

According to Brooker, America’s security risks have increased significantly. ‘Such satellites can identify troop movements and fleets. North Korea is also said to be using satellites to launch nuclear weapons. This creates much less security for America.

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