Current:Home > ContactNorth Korea accuses US of double standards for letting South Korea launch spy satellite from US soil -AdvancementTrade
North Korea accuses US of double standards for letting South Korea launch spy satellite from US soil
View
Date:2025-04-15 17:05:34
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea on Monday accused the United States of double standards, slamming it for letting rival South Korea launch a spy satellite from U.S. territory after condemning the North’s earlier satellite launch.
Last Friday, South Korea launched its first domestically built spy satellite into space from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base. That came after North Korea put its own military spy satellite into orbit for the first time on Nov. 21.
Unlike the South Korean launch, North Korea’s satellite liftoff drew immediate, strong rebukes from Washington, Seoul and their partners because it violated U.N. Security Council resolutions. The world body views any North Korean launch using ballistic technology as a cover for testing its missile technology. North Korea maintains it has the right to launch satellites and test missiles in the face of what it calls U.S.-led military threats.
“It is a space-level tragicomedy that the U.S., going frantic with illegal denunciation and sanctions moves over the exercise of (North Korea’s) sovereignty, has shown behavior based on double standards by launching a spy satellite of (South Korea) in a shameless manner,” an unidentified spokesperson for the North’s National Aerospace Technology Administration said in a statement.
The statement said if “the gangster-like logic of the U.S. … is connived and tolerated, global peace and stability will be exposed to an irrevocable grave danger.”
North Korea has said its spy satellite transmitted imagery with space views of key sites in the U.S. and South Korea, including the White House and the Pentagon. But it hasn’t yet released any of those satellite photos. Many outside experts question whether it can send militarily useful high-resolution imagery.
North Korea has said it’ll launch additional spy satellites to better monitor its rivals’ moves and enhance the precision-guided strike capability of its missiles.
South Korea also plans to launch four more spy satellites by 2025 under a contract with SpaceX. The establishment of its own space-based surveillance network would ease its dependence on U.S. spy satellites to monitor strategic facilities in North Korea. Experts say launching a satellite aboard a SpaceX rocket is more economical and that South Korea also needs more tests to ensure the reliability of a launch rocket.
Earlier Monday, South Korea conducted a third test flight for a solid-fuel rocket near its southern Jeju island, according to the South’s Defense Ministry. A ministry statement said the launch was successful and put a civilian commercial satellite into orbit.
Solid-fuel rockets require shorter launch times and cheaper development and manufacturing costs than liquid-fuel rockets. Experts say solid-fuel rockets are used to launch smaller spy satellite because they have weaker thrust force than similar-sized liquid-fuel rockets. They say the development of solid-fuel rockets can help improve South Korea’s missile technology as well.
After the North Korean satellite launch, South Korea said it would resume frontline aerial surveillance in response. South Korea said North Korea reacted by restoring border guard posts. Both North and South Korean steps would breach their earlier agreement to ease military tensions along their border.
The North Korean satellite liftoff followed two earlier launch failures. South Korea suspects North Korea likely received Russian technical assistance for a satellite launch program as part of expanding cooperation between the two nations, both locked in separate confrontations with the United States.
veryGood! (7637)
Related
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Who Does Luke Bryan Want to Replace Katy Perry on American Idol? Here's the Truth
- This ‘Boy Meets World’ star credits shaman elixir for her pregnancy at 54. Doctors have some questions.
- Nearly 130 more Red Lobster restaurants are in danger of closing: See list of locations
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- E! Readers Can’t Get Enough of This Red Light Mask That Makes Your Skin Glow: Get It Now
- Former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows pleads not guilty in Arizona’s fake elector case
- Dozens of people, including border agent, charged in California drug bust linked to Sinaloa Cartel
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- Boston pizza shop owner convicted of forced labor against employees in the country illegally
Ranking
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Rare juvenile T. rex fossil found by children in North Dakota to go on display in Denver museum
- Yemen's Houthi rebels detain at least 9 U.N. staffers, officials tell AP
- Probe launched after Jewish student group omitted from New Jersey high school yearbook
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- Police seek tips after missing Georgia woman's skeletal remains found in Tennessee
- Former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows pleads not guilty in Arizona’s fake elector case
- Rare juvenile T. rex fossil found by children in North Dakota to go on display in Denver museum
Recommendation
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
After attempted bribe, jury reaches verdict in case of 7 Minnesotans accused of pandemic-era fraud
Judge rather than jury will render verdict in upcoming antitrust trial
Authorities identify 77-year-old man killed in suburban Chicago home explosion
Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
Looking for a local shop on National Donut Day? We mapped Yelp's best shops in each state
Starship splashes down for first time in 4th test: See progression of the SpaceX flights
Clarence Thomas formally discloses trips with GOP donor as Supreme Court justices file new financial reports