North Korea issued a stern warning to the international community, stating that any interference with its recently launched spy satellite would be interpreted as an act of war. The satellite, which the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea claims to have successfully deployed following two previous failed attempts, is reported to have captured images of significant locations, including the White House.
The North Korean defense ministry, through an announcement by the state-operated Korean Central News Agency, emphasized the gravity of any hostile actions towards their space asset. The ministry’s statement clarified that they would view any attack on their satellite as a direct declaration of war.
Furthermore, North Korea highlighted the potential for reciprocal actions against U.S. satellites. The statement mentioned that if the U.S. perceived North Korea’s satellite as a military threat, then the numerous American spy satellites routinely monitoring North Korean territory should also be considered legitimate targets for defensive measures.
The spokesperson added that should the U.S. attempt to breach North Korea’s sovereign space with advanced technology, they are prepared to take self-defense actions. These actions could include disabling or destroying U.S. spy satellites, underlining their right to self-defense as established by international and domestic laws.
The Biden administration had previously denounced the launch of the North Korean satellite, citing it as a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. The resolutions prohibit North Korea from using ballistic missile technology, which was employed in the satellite’s launch. The U.S. government, in coordination with its allies and partners, is closely monitoring the developments and has urged global condemnation of North Korea’s actions. The Biden administration has also called for North Korea to engage in serious diplomatic negotiations.