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The United States government has condemned the recent launch of a reconnaissance satellite by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
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The “Malligyong-1” reconnaissance satellite was reportedly successfully launched from a Chollima-1 carrier rocket by the DPRK National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA) at Sohae Satellite Launching Ground in North Korea on 21 November.
NATA reported that the carrier rocket flew normally along a preset flight track and accurately put the reconnaissance satellite into orbit; marking the first such successful satellite launch for the nation.
Workers’ Party of Korea general secretary and State Affairs of the DPRK president Kim Jong-un oversaw the launch alongside WPK Central Committee vice department director Kim Jong-sik and DPRK General Missile Bureau general director Jang Chang-ha.
The launch is reportedly part of a DPRK self-defence strengthening program as part of war preparedness of the North Korean armed forces.
“We are aware of the DPRK’s November 21 launch of a space launch vehicle and November 22 short-range ballistic missile launch and are consulting closely with the Republic of Korea and Japan, as well as other regional allies and partners,” according to a statement from the US Indo-Pacific Command Public Affairs published on 22 November.
“The United States condemns these launches, which involved ballistic missile technology. The United States calls on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to refrain from any further destabilising acts.
“We have assessed that these events did not pose an immediate threat to US personnel, territory, or that of our allies, but in anticipation of these launches, the ROK, Japan, and the US trilaterally pre-coordinated the position of ballistic missile defence ships to ensure protection of their respective nations.”
People’s Republic of China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said a peaceful and stable peninsula and a political settlement serves the interests of all countries in the region, after the DPRK’s announcement of the satellite launch and the response of relevant parties.
“We hope all parties will exercise calm and restraint, stick to the direction of seeking political settlement, follow the dual-track approach and the principle of phased and synchronised steps, engage in meaningful dialogue and address each other’s legitimate concerns in a balanced way,” she said.
“China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting a political settlement.
“The current situation on the Korean Peninsula is complex and sensitive. All parties need to exercise calm and restraint, face up to the crux of the issues, strive for a political settlement and do more to ease tension, resume dialogue and improve relations.”
