North Korea stated on Saturday that any interference with its satellite operations would be considered a declaration of war and that it would mobilize its military deterrence if an attack on its vital assets was imminent.
Pyongyang would respond to any US involvement in space by rendering US spy satellites inoperable, according to state media outlet KCNA, citing a statement by North Korea’s defense ministry spokesperson.
“In case the U.S. tries to violate the legitimate territory of a sovereign state by weaponizing the latest technologies illegally and unjustly, the DPRK will consider taking responsive action measures for self-defense to undermine or destroy the viability of the U.S. spy satellites,” the statement said.
The initials DPRK stand for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the North’s official name.
Pyongyang claims to have successfully launched its first military spy satellite on November 21, sending images of military stations in the United States, Japan, and the US territory of Guam.
When asked if Washington had the power to disrupt the North Korean satellite’s surveillance operations, a US Space Command official said the US could limit an adversary’s space capabilities through a variety of techniques, according to US.
Following the launch, the US designated foreign-based agents it claimed enabled sanctions evasion in order to acquire revenue and technology for Pyongyang’s weapons of mass destruction development.
South Korea barred 11 North Koreans from financial transactions on Friday for their involvement in the country’s satellite and ballistic missile programs.
