"Various Satellites, a Solid Guarantee for Orbital Launch"
Possibility of Non-Military Satellite Launch as a 'Countermeasure' to ROK-US Exercises
North Korea announced that it has succeeded in developing a high-power engine for satellite carrier rockets and has completed preparations to place various satellites into orbit. With large-scale joint South Korea-US military exercises expected, there are speculations that the launch of the military reconnaissance satellite No. 1, which was declared to be ready by April this year, is imminent.
According to the Korean Central News Agency on the 6th, Park Kyung-su, Deputy Director of the National Space Development Bureau, stated at a press conference the day before, "In our country, which manufactures and launches artificial Earth satellites, space development projects have been vigorously promoted under the unified leadership of the state, and remarkable achievements continue to expand."
Deputy Director Park asserted, "Steady progress has been made in projects aimed at realizing multifunctionality and high performance of artificial Earth satellites and enhancing their reliability," adding, "We have succeeded in developing a high-power engine for carrier rockets, establishing a solid guarantee to launch various satellites into their respective orbits."
He particularly emphasized that North Korea joined the International Space Treaty in March 2009, which appears to be an attempt to insist that not only the technical preparations for satellite launches but also considerations under international law have been fully completed. Deputy Director Park explained, "We have become able to confidently exercise the rights of a sovereign state in the fields of space exploration and utilization, and our space activities are guaranteed under international law."
The National Space Development Bureau reported at the 6th plenary meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Party in December last year that "We will thoroughly advance the preparation projects for reconnaissance satellites and carrier launch vehicles, which are in the final stages, and launch the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's first military satellite in the shortest possible time." In particular, it revealed that on December 18 last year, a satellite test product was loaded onto a carrier at the Dongchang-ri West Sea Satellite Launch Site in Cholsan County, North Pyongan Province, and launched, and it also announced plans to complete preparations for the military reconnaissance satellite No. 1 by April this year.
North Korea "Important Test for Reconnaissance Satellite Development at West Sea Satellite Launching Station" [Image Source=Yonhap News]
Although North Korea's announcement leans more toward claims than facts, as the declared deadline to complete preparations for the launch of the military reconnaissance satellite No. 1 approaches, there is speculation that the actual satellite launch is imminent. Experts analyzed that North Korea might also launch a non-military artificial satellite as a countermeasure against the large-scale South Korea-US joint exercises starting on the 13th.
Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies said, "Judging by the content, it seems more focused on readiness rather than an imminent launch," adding, "It can be interpreted as an attempt to explore international public opinion and demonstrate scientific strength to consolidate the regime." He continued, "There is a possibility of launching a non-military artificial satellite during the South Korea-US joint exercises, aiming for favorable international public opinion compared to the military exercises," and added, "It is predicted that a non-military satellite will be launched this month, followed by a military reconnaissance satellite next month."
Meanwhile, the National Space Development Bureau handles North Korea's space launch vehicles, artificial satellite development, and launches. It is the central guiding institution responsible for drafting and executing space development plans as well as supervising and controlling projects, established in April 2013 after Kim Jong-un came to power.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
