The US State Department warns it will use “a variety of tools” to “hold North Korea accountable” if the nation goes ahead with an illegal satellite launch.
State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel addressed the issue regarding the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) at a news conference on Wednesday.
“Any launch by North Korea using ballistic missile technology would also include [space launch vehicles] The SLVs were used to launch a satellite into space, which would violate multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions,” Patel told reporters.
NORTH KOREA LOOKS TO THE FINAL FRONTIER AS KIM JONG UN PREPARES LAUNCH OF SPY SATELLITE
A television screen shows a picture of North Korea’s rocket with test satellite during a news program at Yongsan Railway Station. Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and deputy director of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party, released a statement on December 20, criticizing those who question the secret regime’s claim that it has made significant progress in its satellite and the development of long-range ballistic missiles. (Photo by KIM Jae-Hwan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un it said it completed the military spy satellite this week as concerns mount that Pyongyang may prepare to launch the spacecraft using the banned technology in the coming weeks.
“We have been very clear in urging North Korea to refrain from further threatening activities and calling on Pyongyang to engage in serious and sustained diplomacy,” Patel said of the planned launch.
NORTH KOREA SAYS FIRST MILITARY SPY SATELLITE READY FOR LAUNCH WHICH WOULD VIOLATE UN RESOLUTIONS
State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel speaks during the daily press briefing at the State Department in Washington, DC on May 15, 2023. (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
“We have also been very clear about our firm commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, as well as seeking a dialogue with Pyongyang without preconditions,” the spokesman continued.
Even though Pyongyang has routinely defied international law when it comes to it ballistic missile tests and nuclear development, intends to go one step further and use long-range missile technology that has been banned by United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Kim said the satellite is needed for space reconnaissance and to counter the United States and South Korea, which have stepped up joint military exercises in the face of increased aggression and illegal missile tests in North Korea.
NORTH KOREA COMMITS TO FURTHER “DEVELOP” RELATIONS WITH CHINA
In this photo supplied by the North Korean government, North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, right, and his daughter visit the country’s aerospace agency, North Korea on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Kim examined a finished military spy satellite that his country is expected to launch soon. State media said he did so on Tuesday during a visit to his country’s aerospace agency, where he described space reconnaissance as crucial to countering the United States and South Korea. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
Patel hinted at a “number of tools” available to curb North Korea’s illicit activity, promising to crack down on the hermit kingdom if necessary.
“In terms of actions, of course, we continue to have a number of tools at our disposal to hold the DPRK accountable. You’ve seen us take these steps and we will continue to do so,” Patel said Wednesday.
In this photo supplied by the North Korean government, North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, second right, and his daughter, right, visit the country’s aerospace agency North Korea on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Kim examined a finished military spy satellite that his country should be launched soon. State media said he did so on Tuesday during a visit to his country’s aerospace agency, where he described space reconnaissance as crucial to countering the United States and South Korea. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
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Pyongyang’s claims about space capability remain dubious.
Some South Korean analysts have reportedly argued that the satellite revealed in images by North Korea’s state-controlled media is too small and insufficient to capture high-resolution images from space.
Caitlin McFall of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
