Why N. Korea cannot launch spy satellite
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un waves during a ceremony held to congratulate the regime's launch of its first spy satellite, in Pyongyang, Nov. 23, in this photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency on Nov. 24. Yonhap
Pyongyang accuses Washington of double standardsBy Lee Hyo-jinNorth Korea is wrong to accuse the United States of having double standards when it comes to spy satellite launches, analysts said, Tuesday, as Pyongyang's action – a clear violation of international laws – contrasts with South Korea's adherence to established protocols in its satellite launch.
The South Korean military successfully launched its first indigenous spy satellite from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, Friday (local time), around a week after North Korea placed its own military reconnaissance satellite into orbit for the first time on Nov. 21.
Unlike Seoul's satellite launch, North Korea's move drew condemnation from the U.S., which labeled it a "brazen violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions."
In response, the reclusive regime argued that its satellite launch was the "legitimate and just right of a sovereign state," claiming that it is not different from South Korea's latest launch of its own spy satellite.
"It is a space-level tragicomedy that the U.S., going frantic with illegal denunciation and sanctions moves over the exercise of the DPRK's sovereignty, has shown behavior based on double standards by launching a spy satellite of the 'Republic of Korea' (ROK) in a shameless manner," a spokesperson for North Korea's National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA) said in an article released by Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Monday.
The Republic of Korea (ROK) is South Korea's official name, while DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name.
The article added, "Ten years ago, the U.S. claimed that South Korea's satellite launch is different from that of North Korea as the former has no military intention. And now we wonder how absurdly the U.S. would justify the launch of the ROK's spy satellite which has a clear military purpose."
Experts, however, viewed that North Korea's satellite launch constitutes a clear violation of multiple international laws.
"Broadly speaking, any country has the right to pursue space exploration. But in the case of North Korea, the recent launch of its space vehicle using ballistic missile technologies is clearly prohibited under international law,” said Cho Han-bum, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying South Korea's first military spy satellite lifts off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, United States, on Friday (local time), in this photo provided by SpaceX. Yonhap
U.N. Security Council Resolution 1718, which was passed shortly after Pyongyang’s October 2006 nuclear test, bans North Korea from launching ballistic missiles or carrying out further nuclear tests, he added.
Park Won-gon, a professor of North Korean studies at Ewha Womans University, echoed that sentiment, highlighting the use of ballistic missile technologies in the satellite launch, as well as the speculated assistance from Russia, which violates U.N. Security Council resolutions.
Under U.N. Security Council Resolution 2270 adopted in 2016, U.N. member states are banned from providing technical assistance to North Korea, along with training and services related to the production, use and maintenance of arms.
"In addition to the legitimacy issue, the North's satellite deployment was a part of the regime's plan to enhance its military power to reach the ultimate goal of communization of the whole Korean Peninsula, another reason why its action cannot avoid international criticism," Park said.
The professor also said that Pyongyang will continue propaganda efforts in order to portray the recent developments related to spy satellites as a competition in space between two soverign states.
U.S officials refuted North Korea’s claim that Washington has double standards.
"South Korea is not the subject of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions over its (North Korea's) dangerous and destabilizing activities in this area," Matthew Miller, the state department's spokesperson said during a press briefing, Monday (local time), in response to a query about the difference between the two Korea's military satellite launches.
(责任编辑:行业动态)
- 尝“鲜”盛宴,等你来探!2024年清远西牛麻竹笋尝鲜季即将启幕
- Look at this epic racetrack a team of engineers built in their office
- Two Koreas holding high
- Treat yourself to Elon Musk’s weirdest tweets of 2019
- This shark lives for centuries. Scientists discover how it resists aging.
- The Astounding World of Automata
- Gin recalled for containing too much alcohol
- US fighting for record third straight title win
- Tumblr's best memes, myths, and blogs from its peak
- 优化广东优质农产品产销资源对接!“农友圈”又有新动作
- Belgium approves four
- Hungry Germany want to hit the ground running
- Ancelotti to coach Brazil from 2024 Copa America: source
-
Wordle today: The answer and hints for August 27
Can't get enough of Wordle? Try Mashable's free version nowOh hey there! If you're here, it must be ...[详细] -
Pompeo rules out giving rewards to N. Korea before denuclearization
Mike Pompeo / AFPThe United States will not reward North Korea before the regime "permanently, irrev ...[详细] -
Trump seeks dual goals by tapping Bolton, Pompeo
Washington may signal Pyongyang 'not to get greedy at summit'By Kim Jae-kyoungU.S. President Donald ...[详细] -
Presidential candidates having a field day online on Election Day after law change
As the votes roll in on the Election Day, the candidates for South Korea’s presidential election are ...[详细] -
NASA's new plan keeps Starliner astronauts in space until 2025
Have you ever had an eight-day road trip turn into an eight-month excursion? Nope? Well, consider yo ...[详细] -
Pompeo rules out giving rewards to N. Korea before denuclearization
Mike Pompeo / AFPThe United States will not reward North Korea before the regime "permanently, irrev ...[详细] -
Grimes says Elon Musk 'does not live like a billionaire'
Grimes is many things: a visionary artist, a modern philosopher, a mother of two (more on that later ...[详细] -
PM nominee explains son’s army exemption
Responding to disputes over his son’s nonperformance of military service, Prime Minister nominee Lee ...[详细] -
Naver, Kakao strive to combat deepfake porn spreading online
(Getty Images Bank)The rise of explicit and nonconsensual deepfake pornography illegally being share ...[详细] -
S. Korean art troupe leaves for N. Korea
South Korean singer Cho Yong-pil, left, and Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Do Jong-whan speak ...[详细]
- South Korean lawmakers brace for US election as Harris, Trump diverge on North Korea
- 广东江门幼儿师范高等专科学校通过全省第四批节水型高校认定
- Woman arrested with knife at Hong campaign stop
- Presidential candidates having a field day online on Election Day after law change
- Tesla's big software update includes something called 'Night Curfew'
- Messaging app ToTok is reportedly a secret UAE surveillance tool
- Sloppy Pakistan suffer Kuwait humbling