Rising Crisis on the Korean Peninsula... The Space Weapon North Korea Believes In? [Reading Science]

Known to be developing miniaturized nuclear EMP warheads
All electronic devices paralyzed within 170km south if detonated over Seoul
GPS jamming equipment also deployed in 2020

A medium-to-long-range strategic ballistic missile is being launched from an undisclosed location in North Korea last August. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] North Korea has recently launched ballistic missiles seven times, escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea claims its space launch vehicles are for satellite launches, while developing missile capabilities and military space power. In particular, it is equipped with powerful space strategies such as electromagnetic pulse (EMP) warheads through nuclear weapon miniaturization and satellite jamming equipment, posing a significant threat in case of emergency.

◇ North Korea's Launch Vehicle Technology

In June, South Korea succeeded in launching its first independently developed space launch vehicle, Nuriho, drawing attention to North Korea's launch vehicle capabilities. North Korea has showcased launch vehicles including the Paektusan rocket used for the Kwangmyongsong-1 satellite launch in August 1998, as well as Unha-1, Unha-2 (April 2009, Kwangmyongsong-2), Unha-3 (April 2012, Kwangmyongsong-3; December 2012, Kwangmyongsong-3 second launch), and Unha (February 2016, Kwangmyongsong-4). According to a 'Space Policy Research' report published last winter by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), despite international underestimation, North Korea succeeded in consecutive launches in 2012 and 2016, and is assessed to have the capability to launch low Earth orbit satellites at altitudes around 500 km. Meanwhile, North Korea claims the Kwangmyongsong satellite launches are for peaceful space development purposes, but the international community and South Korea are concerned that these are long-range missile launch tests.

◇ North Korea's Space Organization

North Korea has also established a national space development system through legislation and organizational setup. According to the report, in April 2013, at the 7th session of the 12th Supreme People's Assembly, North Korea enacted the Space Development Law, expanded and reorganized the Korean Committee for Space Technology (KCST) to create the National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA). Although North Korea joined the United Nations Outer Space Treaty in March 2009, it has had no activities, and NADA's application to join the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) in 2015 was unsuccessful. NADA is not an independent organization but is directly under the National Defense Commission and is known to be closely connected with the Missile Guidance Bureau under the General Staff Department.

Since 2012, North Korea has been implementing a five-year space development plan. The U.S. Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in its 2020 Space Threat Assessment report stated, "North Korea is developing space launch vehicles and ballistic missile technology under the pretext of peaceful use of space," and "since 2013, it has been pursuing the launch of geostationary composite satellites (optical + communication), while strengthening indirect attack capabilities against satellites such as kinetic energy weapons, EMP warheads, electronic warfare, and cyberattacks."

Nuclear explosion (Photo by Getty Images Bank)

◇ EMP Warheads Are the Most Fearsome

Among North Korea's space capabilities, EMP warheads are expected to cause massive damage to satellite operations. North Korea is likely to develop EMP warheads, which cause less international condemnation, instead of direct nuclear weapon deployment that results in massive casualties. According to the report, the power of EMP warheads is influenced by Earth's magnetic field, and due to the magnetic field distribution on the Korean Peninsula, with an inclination of 53.8 degrees spreading more toward the south, the environment is very favorable for North Korea's use of EMP. In fact, in 2009, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute simulated that if a 10kt nuclear bomb exploded 100 km above Seoul, all electronic devices within 170 km southward would be disabled.

The report pointed out, "If North Korea achieves nuclear weapon miniaturization, it is highly likely to operate EMP warheads at strategic, operational, and tactical levels," adding, "Detonating an EMP warhead over Seoul or using nuclear weapons outside the atmosphere could severely damage low-altitude satellite operations of the U.S. and its allies."

North Korea also possesses other weapons, such as GPS jamming devices. In April 2020, the Weapons Inspection Bureau under the Ministry of People's Armed Forces completed final tests of a new GPS jamming device and deployed it in practice. The GPS jamming mission against the South is presumed to be carried out by the 121st Bureau (Cyber Warfare Guidance Bureau) under the Electronic Reconnaissance Bureau of the Reconnaissance General Bureau. Consequently, installation of GPS jamming prevention devices is required not only for major military equipment but also for civilian airports, ports, aircraft, and ships.

The report stated, "North Korea is highly likely to resume nuclear and missile development and launch tests at any time," and "If it secures missile range, payload technology, and re-entry technology that form the basis of satellite launches, it will pose a significant threat. Especially, if an imbalance in military space power or missile capabilities between South and North Korea occurs, it could become a serious security threat."