North Korea said on Dec 2 it would consider any interference with its satellite operations an announcement of war and would mobilise its war deterrence if any attack in opposition to its strategic assets were imminent. Pyongyang would reply to any United States involvement in space by eliminating the viability of US spy satellites, state media KCNA reported, giving recognition to a statement from North Korea’s Defence Ministry spokesperson.
“In case the US attempts to violate the legitimate territory of an independent state by weaponising the last technologies illegally and unjustly, the DPRK will consider taking stringent action measures for self-defence to undermine or destroy the viability of the US spy satellites,” the statement said. DPRK are the initials of the North’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. North Korea says it has been successful in bringing its first military spy satellite on Nov 21, transmitting photos of military installations in the US mainland, Japan and the US territory of Guam.
A US Space Command spokesperson, when being questioned if Washington had the capability to interfere the North Korean satellite’s reconnaissance operations, said the US was could reject an adversary’s space capabilities using a variety of means, according to US broadcaster RFA. Later on Dec 2, North Korean state media issued a commentary by a North Korean international relations analyst, who argued “the United States, the world’s hugest satellite possessor,” should deal with the United Nations Security Council if sending satellites is considered a crime.
“In case an unanticipated war befalls in the North-east Asian area around the Korean peninsula, the US, which has constantly put pressure on the safety space of the DPRK by escalating military threat and blackmail, will be held entirely responsible for the catastrophic situation,” the commentary revealed. It also threw allegations on the US for collaborative military exercises with Japan and South Korea, as well as for displaying its nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.