North Korean satellite raises nuclear missile fears

North Korea revealed last week that it is developing a new satellite, confirming recent indications the country’s space agency is expanding its rocket launch capability. The announcement comes amid international concern that North Korea’s fledgling space program is primarily intended to develop long-range, nuclear-capable missiles.

“We are developing a more advanced Earth observation satellite, and when it’s complete, before launching it, we will inform international organizations and other countries,” Paek Chang Ho, vice director of the scientific research and development department of the North Korean space agency, said in an interview with an Associated Press television crew in Pyongyang.

Although Paek did not provide details about the satellite’s purpose or development timeline, his announcement coincides with an increased level of activity in the country’s space program. Leader Kim Jong Un’s visit to a new satellite control center played repeatedly on North Korean TV early last month. And analysis of recently released satellite imagery of North Korea’s Sohae rocket launch site shows significant new construction.

North Korea’s first attempt to launch a satellite in 1998 ended in failure. In 2012, the country succeeded in placing its first, and only, satellite into an erratic but short-lived Earth orbit. That same year, North Korea unveiled what some analysts believe was a mobile ballistic missile whose dimensions seemed to be close to those of the rocket that placed the satellite in orbit.

Washington strongly criticized the 2012 launch, and the United Nations subjected North Korea to tougher sanctions.

Paek dismissed any link between North Korea’s space program and weapons development.

“Our National Aerospace Development Administration has peaceful objectives,” he said. “America and its impure allies are always trying to persecute us. … We will continue launching satellites in the designated place when necessary and whether it is recognized or not. The high dignity of our republic will be exalted.”

While Western analysts see clear indications the North Korean space program is designed to develop the technology needed for a multi-stage ballistic missile, the North is actively promoting its space program to its people as a symbol of national accomplishment and prestige.

Mockups of the Unha-3 rocket that launched North Korea’s first satellite are everywhere in Pyongyang: children’s playgrounds, amusement parks, even flower exhibitions. The country’s most popular singing group, the Moranbong Band, commemorated the launch in song.

“The eagerness of our people for space development and conquest is becoming the mainstream of the era and it cannot be dammed up,” Paek said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.