Kim Jong-un views satellite images of 'target area' in South Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un looks at photos of Seoul and cities with US bases in South Korea sent by a spy satellite.

Kim Jong-un visited the National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA) on November 24 to "learn about the preparations for operating a reconnaissance satellite" and study photos taken from space, North Korea's state news agency KCNA reported today.

According to KCNA, Mr. Kim viewed photos of "key target areas", including Mokpo, Kunsan, Pyeongtaek, Osan, Seoul and other areas in South Korea as well as North Korea when the satellite flew over the peninsula from 10:15 to 10:27 (8:15 to 8:27 Hanoi time) on November 24.

Pyeongtaek is home to Camp Humphreys, the largest U.S. military base abroad. U.S. forces also have bases in Kunsan and Osan.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the control center at the National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA) on November 24. Photo: KCNA

North Korea has not released satellite images. The images would be evidence that Pyongyang's spy satellite is operating normally in orbit.

NATA also reported to Mr Kim on the “fine-tuning process” that took place in the 62 hours after the satellite was put into orbit, along with plans to photograph areas of the South Korean “puppet”, KCNA added. The fine-tuning process continued on the morning of November 25.

A North Korean satellite-carrying rocket is launched from a launch site in Tongchang-ri, Cholsan County, North Pyongan Province on November 21. Photo: KCNA

North Korea previously announced the successful launch of the military reconnaissance satellite Malligyong-1 on the night of November 21. Mr. Kim visited NATA on November 23 to congratulate scientists and technicians, and view the first photos sent back by the satellite, which showed Anderson military airfield, Apra port and a series of other major military bases of US forces on the Pacific island of Guam.

South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said on the same day that North Korea was “exaggerating” when it announced that Mr. Kim had seen photos of Guam. “Even if a satellite enters orbit, it still takes a considerable amount of time to conduct reconnaissance,” Mr. Shin said.

The foreign ministers of the United States, Japan and South Korea spoke by phone on November 24 to "strongly condemn North Korea's satellite launch as destabilizing to the region," according to the US State Department.

Meanwhile, KCNA published a commentary criticizing the US for providing modern weapons to its "puppets", causing increased tensions, warning that even a small spark on the Korean peninsula could lead to nuclear war.

Locations of some US military bases in South Korea. Graphic: Korea Herald

Nhu Tam (According to Reuters, Yonhap )

Source link: https://vnexpress.net/ong-kim-jong-un-xem-anh-ve-tinh-vung-muc-tieu-o-han-quoc-4681116.html