North Korea’s Satellite Launch Causes Increased Tension in the Korean Peninsula

North Korea’s launch of a reconnaissance satellite and subsequent actions seemed like a well-coordinated blitzkrieg. On November 21, North Korea informed the Japanese Coast Guard of plans to launch the spy satellite between November 22 and December 1 and provided three zones where debris was expected to fall. However, it launched the satellite on the evening of November 21, disregarding the safety of ships that could be in the predicted debris-falling zones. The next day, Pyongyang announced the “successful launch of the new rocket Chollima-1 carrying the reconnaissance satellite Manrikyong-1.” This surprise launch was a clear violation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1874 and 2087 and the Inter-Korean Military Agreement of September 19, 2018.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un boasted of achieving one of the strategic tasks presented at the 8th Party Congress in January 2021, which focused on improving accuracy in striking targets within a 15,000 km range. In response to South Korea suspending the enforcement of the military agreement, the Pyongyang regime declared “complete abandonment” of the agreement and threatened to deploy strong military forces to the front-line area. North Korea has a history of repeatedly violating the agreement with various military activities.

With the abrupt satellite launch and tension-building tactics, North Korea is on the verge of abandoning the September 19 Military Agreement. South Korea must respond with more assertive measures rather than a submissive approach. This includes resuming aerial surveillance, reinstating military exercises, and increasing security measures in certain areas. South Korea should also prepare for the potential capabilities of the North Korean military, which may be significantly more powerful compared to other groups such as Hamas.

The importance of enhancing independent and alliance capabilities to deter the growing nuclear threat from North Korea is crucial. South Korea should not underestimate the potential capabilities of North Korea’s spy satellite and should also handle the Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula signed by the two Koreas in 1991, especially since North Korea has become a nuclear-armed state.



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