North Korea: North Korea has reportedly stated that it has successfully launched a spy satellite into space after two earlier attempts failed this year.
It comes after a meeting between Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin and North Korean Prime Minister Mr. Kim Jong Un in September, where Moscow offered Pyongyang help with its space program.
South Korea has not yet confirmed whether the satellite is operational. According to the statement, Russia has helped North Korea in the process. It comes after Mr. Kim met with Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin in September this year.
After the launch, South Korea announced its decision to resume surveillance along its border with the North, consequently taking steps to suspend parts of a deal agreed upon by the two countries in 2018 that aimed at lowering military tensions.
The North Korean state news agency KCNA remarked that the satellite, Malligyong-1, had “accurately” entered orbit and that Mr. Kim had observed the launch.
The UN, along with countries like the US and Japan, has condemned the launch and maintains sanctions on North Korea due to its nuclear missile development.
“Any launch by using ballistic missile technology is contrary to the relevant Security Council resolutions,” Mr. António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, remarked.
Japan’s prime minister, Fumio Kishida, also denounced the launch, which flew over the nation’s Okinawa prefecture and on towards the Pacific Ocean. The White House called the move a “brazen violation” of UN resolutions.
“Even if the purpose is to launch a satellite, using ballistic missile technology is a clear violation of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. It is also a very serious matter that greatly concerns the safety of our people,” observed Mr. Kishida.
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