The quality of the satellite images is very poor

North Korean leader's sister defends spy satellite's capabilities

• Kim expressed his desire for his country to be the largest nuclear power in the world.

  EPA

• Kim Yo Jung.

  A.F.B

• US-South Korean air maneuvers infuriate Pyongyang.

  A.F.B

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Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, stressed yesterday that Pyongyang had developed advanced technology to take pictures from space thanks to a spy satellite, after experts questioned the quality of the images it was supposed to have taken after its launch at the weekend.

And North Korea announced last Monday that it had conducted an “important experiment” in the context of the “final stage” of developing an artificial spy satellite, which it intends to complete in April 2023. But experts in Seoul immediately questioned that, saying that the quality of the images that were supposed to have been taken from the satellite, very bad.

On Sunday, the South Korean army monitored Pyongyang's launch of two medium-range ballistic missiles, in the latest such operation in a year that witnessed a record number of weapons tests.

In a long statement published by the official North Korean News Agency, Kim Yo Jong, the sister of the North Korean leader, said, "It is inappropriate and reckless to evaluate Pyongyang's progress and expertise in the field of satellite development, based on these two black and white photos."

"We have conducted the necessary experiment and reported an important and satisfactory result," she added.

And Kim Yo Jong stressed that the camera installed on the satellite enjoys “the same reliability as ground control (...) in a suitable spaceflight environment,” and also considered that the data transmission devices are reliable.

The development of a reconnaissance satellite was among Pyongyang's major defense projects unveiled by Kim Jong Un last year.

North Korea has been subject to numerous sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council because of its nuclear and missile program since 2006. But satellites for civilian use are not subject to the same restrictions.

According to experts, the development of a satellite of this type is a pretext that allows Pyongyang to test intercontinental ballistic missiles, as the latter has a large part of the same technology used in spy missiles.

But the North Korean leader's sister responded to this, saying, "If we develop intercontinental ballistic missiles, we will launch them, and we will not test long-range missiles under the pretext of launching satellites."

aerial maneuvers

The weekend launch comes after a year of unprecedented tests by North Korea, including the most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile test last month.

Earlier this year, North Korea conducted two launches it said were intended to test elements of a reconnaissance satellite.

Washington and Seoul suggested that these would be parts of its new intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-17.

South Korea and the United States have been warning for months that Pyongyang is preparing for its next nuclear test.

The two countries conducted air maneuvers yesterday and deployed a USB-52H strategic bomber on the Korean Peninsula, the South Korean Army Staff announced in a statement.

This long-range heavy bomber was part of a training that included the latest American and South Korean fighters, including the F-22 and F-35.

Experts say North Korea is particularly sensitive about joint US-South Korean air exercises because its air force is one of the weakest links in its military and it lacks high-tech aircraft and properly trained pilots.

Despite the severe international sanctions imposed on its weapons programmes, Pyongyang has managed to build an arsenal of intercontinental ballistic missiles.

But all North Korea's observed missiles are liquid-fueled.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has given a strategic priority to developing solid fuel engines for more advanced missiles.

This year, Kim expressed his desire for his country to be the largest nuclear power in the world, stressing that his country is a nuclear state and this matter is "irreversible."

• Kim Yo Jong stressed that the camera installed on the satellite enjoys "the same reliability as the ground control (...) in a suitable spaceflight environment", and also considered that the data transmission devices are reliable.

• North Korea is particularly sensitive about joint US-South Korean air exercises, because its air force is one of the weakest links in its military and it lacks high-tech aircraft and properly trained pilots.

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