A White House National Security Council spokesperson said the United States could not independently verify the North Korean claims. The spokesperson said the United States condemns the launch of a space launch vehicle using ballistic missile technology, calling it a violation of several United Nations Security Council resolutions.
A rocket carrying a Malligyong-1 spy satellite is launched, as the North Korean government claims, in a location designated as North Gyeongsang province, North Korea, in this photo obtained by Reuters on November 21, 2023. KCNA via REUTERS/File Photo
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A rocket carrying a Malligyong-1 spy satellite is launched, as the North Korean government claims, in a location designated as North Gyeongsang province, North Korea, in this photo obtained by Reuters on November 21, 2023. KCNA via REUTERS/File Photo
North Korea says its first spy satellite launched into space last week took photos of the White House, Pentagon and nearby U.S. naval stations.
These important US sites join a list of areas that North Korea claims to have photographed using its reconnaissance probe launched on November 21. Official state media said leader Kim Jong Un had seen the latest images as well as earlier photos of Rome, Anderson. Guam Air Force Base, Pearl Harbor and the US Navy aircraft carrier Carl Vinson.
South Korea recovered one of North Korea’s spy satellites after a failed launch earlier this year and concluded the technology had little military value. Although Seoul believes that any North Korean satellite would be rudimentary at best, such technology could help the Kim regime target while strengthening its ability to launch a nuclear strike.
North Korea had said the satellite would officially begin its reconnaissance mission from December 1 after some adjustments, but the official Korean news agency said on Tuesday: “the satellite adjustment process is being accelerated to end one or two days earlier.” “.
There has been no confirmation from the outside world as to whether the satellite is operational and North Korea has yet to disclose to the outside world any images taken by its new satellite.
A White House National Security Council spokesperson said the United States could not independently verify the North Korean claims. The spokesperson said the United States condemns the launch of a space launch vehicle using ballistic missile technology, calling it a violation of several United Nations Security Council resolutions.
North Korea has a history of bluster when it comes to claiming satellites. Under the leadership of Kim Jong Il – the current leader’s father – North Korea said it had placed a satellite broadcasting revolutionary chants into orbit, but Washington said the probe was likely at the bottom of the sea.
