North Korea says its testing activities are self-defense measures meant to respond to expanded military drills between Washington and Seoul that it views as invasion rehearsals. Since the beginning of 2022, North Korea has conducted more than 100 missile tests, many of them involving nuclear-capable weapons targeting the U.S. In the meantime, Kim has focused on expanding his nuclear and missile arsenals in what experts say is an attempt to wrest concessions from Washington and Seoul. Other weapons he has pledged to develop include a multi-warhead missile, a nuclear submarine, a solid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile and a hypersonic missile.ĭenuclearization talks with the U.S. The satellite is one several high-tech weapons systems that Kim has publicly vowed to introduce in recent years. Recent commercial satellite imagery of the North’s main rocket launch center in the northwest showed active construction activities indicating that North Korea plans to launch more than one satellite, however. But some experts note that it is still likely capable of detecting troop movements and big targets, such as warships and warplanes. The satellite disclosed in the country’s state-run media didn’t appear to be sophisticated enough to produce high-resolution imagery. It is not clear if a North Korean spy satellite would significantly bolster its defenses.

allies and partners, National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said. President Joe Biden and his national security team were assessing the situation in coordination with U.S. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP, File) The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. FILE - This photo provided by the North Korean government shows what it says is a test of a rocket with the test satellite at the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground in North Korea on Dec.

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