Kim Jong Un reviews satellite surveillance of US bases amidst doubts on North Korea's spy satellite claims

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reportedly examined satellite images captured by the country’s newly launched spy satellite. The images purportedly included surveillance of a US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and key locations in South Korea. Although Pyongyang claims the satellite, named “Malligyong-1,” successfully entered orbit, Seoul remains cautious about its functionality.

Experts suggest that deploying a functional reconnaissance satellite could enhance North Korea’s intelligence gathering, particularly in relation to South Korea, providing valuable data in potential military conflicts.

The satellite, which Pyongyang asserts captured images of US military bases in Guam shortly after launch, continued its surveillance over Hawaii, including a naval base in Pearl Harbor and the Hickam air-force base in Honolulu, according to North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency. Kim Jong Un also purportedly reviewed images of the South Korean port city of Busan, featuring the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.

The North claimed that these images were taken on the same day the carrier arrived at the Busan Naval Base. Additionally, the North asserted that Kim inspected “major target areas in the enemy region,” referring to South Korea, including Jinhae, Busan, Ulsan, Pohang, Daegu, and Gangneung.

Earlier reports suggested that Kim reviewed images of major target regions in the South, including its capital and cities hosting US military bases. South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik expressed skepticism about the credibility of Pyongyang’s claims, stating that spy satellites typically require time to conduct reconnaissance missions.

The satellite launch has led to the suspension, albeit partial on the South’s part, of a five-year-old military accord between the two Koreas aimed at de-escalating tensions on the peninsula. In response to the launch, top diplomats from South Korea, Japan, and the United States jointly condemned it for its destabilizing impact on the region.

Meanwhile, South Korea’s spy agency suggests that North Korea received assistance from Moscow for the successful satellite launch, following two previous failed attempts earlier in the year.

Analysts highlight the technological overlap between space launch capabilities and ballistic missile development, noting that UN resolutions prohibit Pyongyang from ballistic technology tests. With North Korea now possessing a spy satellite, concerns arise about the potential development of “strategic nuclear weapons” using space launch capabilities in the future.