South Korea launches first spy satellite amid space race with North Korea

Using a rocket provided by Elon Musk's SpaceX, South Korea has successfully launched its inaugural spy satellite. This development follows closely on the heels of North Korea's recent announcement of their own reconnaissance satellite launch, highlighting the intensifying space race between the two neighboring countries.

Signed with the word "KOREA," the South Korean satellite was launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Within minutes, it entered orbit and achieved successful communication with ground control at 11:37 am, as confirmed by South Korea's defense ministry.

This satellite deployment will significantly enhance Seoul's surveillance capabilities in monitoring North Korea's nuclear activities, which had previously relied heavily on the United States for surveillance support. Operating at an altitude ranging between 400 and 600 kilometers (370 miles) above the Earth, the satellite's remarkable abilities include the detection of objects as small as 30 centimeters (12 inches), according to the Yonhap news agency.

Last month, North Korea launched the Malligyong-1 satellite, which was strongly condemned by the US, South Korea, and Japan. These countries believe that Pyongyang's space program is simply a cover for testing banned ballistic missile technology.

Recently, North Korean state media issued a warning that any attempts by the US to interfere with their satellite program would be seen as a declaration of war. They stated that if the US illegally and unjustly weaponizes the latest technologies to violate their sovereign territory, North Korea would consider taking defensive action. They would exercise their legitimate rights, as said by international and domestic laws, to undermine or destroy the functionality of US spy satellites.