[
Seoul and Pyongyang are racing to place extra reconnaissance satellites into orbit amid rising tensions on the peninsula.
Days after North Korea reiterated its intention to launch a number of spy satellites this yr, South Korea has efficiently launched its second army reconnaissance satellite tv for pc.
South Korea's Ministry of Nationwide Protection mentioned the satellite tv for pc entered orbit after launching on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the John F. Kennedy House Middle in Florida, United States, on Sunday.
Seoul's army mentioned in an announcement that the profitable launch had additional strengthened its “impartial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities”.
“We are going to proceed with future satellite tv for pc launches with none disruption,” it mentioned.
In keeping with the assertion, the Falcon 9 rocket was launched at 23:17 GMT and the satellite tv for pc efficiently separated from the launch car 45 minutes later and entered its focused orbit.
The ministry mentioned it made profitable communication with the bottom station about two hours and 40 minutes after launch.
South Korea, which plans to launch a complete of 5 army spy satellites by 2025, is in a race with North Korea to increase its surveillance capabilities amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Pyongyang launched its first spy satellite tv for pc – Malligyong-1 – in November final yr in its third try, whereas South Korea put its satellite tv for pc into orbit the next month.
North Korea has since mentioned its satellite tv for pc has broadcast photos of key websites within the US, together with the White Home and the Pentagon, but it surely has not launched any images.
On March 31, Pak Kyong Su, deputy director basic of North Korea's Nationwide Aerospace Know-how Administration, mentioned the nation anticipated to launch a number of extra reconnaissance satellites this yr. Chief Kim Jong Un beforehand mentioned he aimed to launch three extra army spy satellites into house in 2024.
South Korean Protection Minister Shin Wonsik mentioned Monday that the primary of these launches may happen subsequent week — coinciding with the April 15 birthday of state founder Kim Il Sung. This vacation, referred to as Solar Day, is normally celebrated with mass celebrations and army parades.
The North Korean satellite tv for pc launches are seen as a violation of UN sanctions imposed on Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program as a result of they use banned ballistic missile expertise.