North Korea has successfully launched a satellite called "Kwangsung-4", claiming that it is for the peaceful use of space. However, the United States and other countries believe that it was a covert ballistic missile test by North Korea, which violated multiple UN Security Council resolutions and posed a threat to international peace and security. In response to North Korea's satellite launches, we would like to ask two questions today: First, does North Korea have the right to launch satellites? The second question is, can North Korean satellites conduct reconnaissance of sensitive targets in the United States? These are the two issues that we want to talk to all of you.
The first question is, does North Korea have the right to launch satellites? In accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, North Korea is prohibited from using any form of ballistic missile technology, including launching launch vehicles. The United States and other countries believe that North Korea's satellite launch is actually a ballistic missile test using a carrier rocket for the purpose of developing nuclear and long-range strike capabilities. As a result, the United States and other countries strongly condemned North Korea's satellite launch and called on the UN Security Council to impose tougher sanctions.
However, the DPRK side insists that launching satellites is its legitimate right as a sovereign state, a peaceful use of space, and is fundamentally different from launching ballistic missiles. North Korea also noted that the launch of satellites is for scientific research and economic development and has nothing to do with military purposes. The DPRK believes that the accusations made by the United States and other countries are an infringement of its sovereignty, an obstacle to its peaceful development, and a violation of international law and the principle of fairness.
The international community is not united in its attitude towards North Korea's satellite launches. Some countries have expressed sympathy and understanding for the DPRK, holding that the DPRK has the right to launch satellites and should respect its sovereignty and development rights. Some countries have expressed concern and warnings about North Korea, saying that North Korea's satellite launch is a challenge to the international order and should comply with UN Security Council resolutions. Some countries, on the other hand, have expressed neutrality and wait-and-see toward the DPRK, holding that the DPRK's satellite launch is a complex and sensitive issue that should be resolved through dialogue and consultation. That's the first question we're talking about.
The second question is, can North Korean satellites conduct reconnaissance of sensitive targets in the United States? According to North Korea's official report, the satellite launched by North Korea is a reconnaissance satellite that can observe and map the ground. The United States and other countries are worried that North Korea's satellites may conduct surveillance and reconnaissance of important US targets, such as the White House, the Pentagon, and the Norfolk military base, and obtain US military intelligence and strategic information. As a result, the United States and other countries have stepped up tracking and monitoring of North Korea's satellites in an attempt to determine their true performance and intentions.
However, it remains to be seen whether North Korea's satellites can actually conduct effective reconnaissance of sensitive targets in the United States. On the one hand, the level of satellite technology of the DPRK is not high enough to achieve high-precision spatial and temporal resolution, that is, it is impossible to clearly see the details and changes of the target. On the other hand, the orbit of the DPRK's satellites may not be suitable enough to cover all targets in the United States, that is, it will not be possible to see the location and status of the targets anytime and anywhere. Unless, North Korea can launch more satellites to form a satellite constellation, or North Korea can get technical support and help from countries such as Russia to improve the performance and flexibility of its satellites.
Why did the DPRK launch a reconnaissance satellite? Its purpose is to demonstrate its ability to launch satellites, as well as to obtain military intelligence and strategic information from the United States and other countries. While North Korea's satellites may not be able to achieve their desired results, North Korea will continue to launch more satellites, especially reconnaissance satellites, in the hope of increasing the number and quality of its satellites. It is also a basic fact that the DPRK is now in a state of toughness and stubbornness, and it is also a basic fact that the pressure and sanctions imposed on the DPRK by the United States and other countries have inspired the DPRK to resist and challenge.