The South Korean army has called on North Korea to immediately halt preparations for launching a spy satellite into orbit. The army warned that if Pyongyang does not cancel the operation, Seoul will take necessary measures in response. South Korean Defense Minister, Shin Won-sik, stated that North Korea appears to be in the final stages of preparing to launch a rocket with a satellite on board, which could occur within a week.
If North Korea proceeds with the satellite launch despite the warning, the South Korean military will take action to protect their people. Several military representatives have suggested that Seoul may partially suspend the military agreement signed with North Korea in 2018, aimed at reducing tension in border areas. The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff’s director of operations, Kang Ho-pil, emphasized that North Korea has repeatedly violated the agreement, which also diminishes South Korean surveillance capabilities along the border.
Previous attempts by Pyongyang to launch a spy satellite in May and August were unsuccessful due to technical issues with the Chollima-1 space rocket. The regime announced its intention to try again in October but has missed the deadline, potentially due to assistance from Moscow. It is believed that the summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin in September solidified an agreement for cooperation in the military and aerospace sectors.
Seoul and Washington suspect that North Korea has been delivering artillery rounds to Russia for use in Ukraine and may be receiving technological support and advice in return. These exchanges are prohibited by the United Nations Security Council sanctions, which Russia, a permanent member of the council, is part of. The sanctions also forbid Pyongyang from launching space rockets, as they could be used for intercontinental ballistic missiles.