NKorea to consider interference in satellite’s operation as declaration of war

North Korea has said it will consider any interference with its satellite as a declaration of war. Pyongyang successfully launched its first reconnaissance satellite into orbit in November, Kommersant reports.

“The hostile and dangerous position of the US Space Force towards the DPRK satellite cannot be ignored. This is an obvious challenge to our sovereignty, or more precisely, a declaration of war on our republic,” said a statement from the official representative of the DPRK Ministry of Defense, published by the Korean Central News Agency.

Pyongyang promised that if the United States uses modern technology as a weapon and encroaches on the rights of a sovereign state, then North Korea “will consider retaliatory measures to reduce the viability of American satellites or (their) complete elimination”.

North Korea believes that if the United States views the North Korean satellite as a military threat that must be eliminated, then “the numerous American satellites that constantly roam the skies over the Korean Peninsula, monitoring our key strategic assets, should become a priority target for destruction by our armed forces”.

The statement by the DPRK Ministry of Defense followed a comment from a representative of the US Space Command. Earlier, a department official, when asked whether Washington can interrupt reconnaissance operations of a North Korean satellite, said that the United States can deprive the enemy of capabilities in space using various means.

North Korea on November 21 announced the successful launch of a reconnaissance satellite after two unsuccessful attempts. The device was launched into Earth orbit. It photographed facilities in South Korea and the United States.