North Korea Warns of Considering US Interference with its Space Assets as a Declaration of War

North Korea issued a warning through the state media outlet KCNA on Saturday, stating that any interference or attack on its "space assets" by the United States would be considered a "declaration of war." The country's defense ministry specifically pointed to the US Space Forces' actions towards its reconnaissance satellite as a challenge to its sovereignty and a direct act of war.

The acronym DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which is the official name of North Korea. The warning was issued less than two weeks after Pyongyang announced the successful launch of its first spy satellite into space, a development that analysts believe could enhance the country's ability to target enemy forces more accurately, should the satellite function as intended.

None of the countries involved in the escalating military tensions with North Korea - South Korea, the United States, and Japan - were able to confirm the successful orbit of "Malligyong-1." Shortly after the North Korean launch, South Korea launched its own spy satellite into orbit with assistance from SpaceX.

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SpaceX launches South Korea's first spy satellite

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- Source:

CNN

According to the KCNA report, Pyongyang issued a warning in response to an alleged comment made by a US Space Command official, insinuating a potential military attack on the DPRK's reconnaissance satellite. The report stated that the unnamed American official allegedly suggested that the US has the capability to diminish the enemy country's outer space operations using various reversible and irreversible methods.

Its unclear who that US official may be.

CNN has not been able to find or verify any such comment made by any US official recently.

Pyongyang asserts that its satellite is designed for reconnaissance and does not fall under the category of space weapons according to international law due to its technical features for observation. Nevertheless, analysts argue that the spacecraft is intended for espionage and to enhance North Korea's military capabilities.

The US Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned eight foreign-based DPRK agents for their involvement in sanctions evasion, revenue generation, and procurement of missile-related technology that supports the DPRK's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs. Additionally, a cyber espionage group known as Kimsuky has also been sanctioned for gathering intelligence to support the DPRK's strategic objectives, as stated on the Treasury Department's website.

North Korea's neighbors, Japan and South Korea, both condemned the November launch. Seoul went so far as to call it a "clear violation" of a UN Security Council resolution banning North Korea from using ballistic missile technology. In response, Pyongyang warned that if its reconnaissance satellite is viewed as a "military threat" that "must be eliminated," then the US should also eliminate "countless spy satellites flying above the Korean peninsula region every day, dedicated to monitoring strategic spots of the DPRK."

The US was also referred to as the "chief culprit of evils" for allegedly transforming space into a battleground. Pyongyang's actions have prompted the South Korean government to partially halt a previously agreed upon limitation on its reconnaissance and surveillance activities along the demilitarized zone (DMZ) with North Korea.

North Korea subsequently vowed to deploy new military hardware along the military demarcation line.