North Korea begins reconnaissance satellite operations

North Korea has begun its reconnaissance satellite operations, the state news agency has said, after Pyongyang successfully launched its first military satellite last month.

The new satellite operations office at the Pyongyang General Control Center of the National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA), started to discharge its mission on Saturday and will report acquired information to the reconnaissance bureau at the army and other major units, KCNA said on Sunday.

Pyongyang warned the United States against any attack on its reconnaissance satellites after a US space official hinted that Washington was capable of interrupting Pyongyang’s satellite operations.

Pyongyang, which managed to launch its first military reconnaissance satellite on Nov. 21, warned Washington that an attack on its satellite would be a declaration of war. 

On November 24, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited NATA and observed new photos taken by the country’s recently launched reconnaissance satellite.