North Korea wants to dominate space. Here's why some are worried

North Korea has big space ambitions. The East Asian country is gearing up for another satellite launch — its third since 2016. However, the past endeavours on 31 May and 24 August were nothing short of fiery fiascos as the ambitious Chollima-1 rockets dramatically plunged into the depths of the ocean. North Korea has informed Japan of its intention to launch a satellite sometime between Wednesday and 1 December. This announcement has invited sharp criticism from both Japan and South Korea who argue that such a move blatantly disregards the UN ban on Pyongyang’s missile development. Here’s what we know about North Korea’s race for space, and why it’s so controversial: Space ambitions Since 1998 North Korea has launched six satellites, two of which appeared to have successfully reached orbit, and the last of which was in 2016. International observers said that satellite seemed to be under control, but there is lingering debate over whether it had sent any transmissions. Experts said that North Korea had used a three-stage rocket booster such as the Unha-3 of previous launches, but that a new launch pad was clearly built for a larger rocket. A senior official at North Korea’s space agency said after the launch that it planned to put more advanced satellites into orbit by 2020 and eventually “plant the flag of (North Korea) on the moon”. During a party congress in January 2021, leader Kim Jong-un revealed a wish list that included developing military reconnaissance satellites. [caption id=“attachment_13413322” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] The announcement has  raised eyebrows and invited sharp criticism from both Japan and South Korea. They argue that such a move blatantly disregards the UN ban on Pyongyang’s missile development. AP[/caption] The Chollima-1 seems to be a new design and most likely uses the dual-nozzle liquid-fuelled engines developed for Pyongyang’s Hwasong-15 ICBM, analysts said. South Korea has recovered some of the Chollima-1 wreckage — including, for the first time, parts of a satellite — but has not released detailed findings. Seoul has said the satellite had little military value. In September, Kim toured Russia’s most modern space launch centre, where President Vladimir Putin promised to help Pyongyang build satellites. South Korean officials have said the upcoming launch could incorporate unspecified technical assistance from Russia. Dual-use-technology The United States and its allies called North Korea’s latest tests of satellite systems clear violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions, which prohibit any development of technology applicable to North Korea’s ballistic missile programs.

North Korea has said its space program and defence activities are its sovereign right.

At the time of the 2016 space launch, North Korea had yet to fire an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The satellite launch was condemned by governments in the United States and South Korea as a disguised test of missile technology capable of striking the continental United States. [caption id=“attachment_13413372” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] North Korea’s past endeavours on 31 May and 24 August were nothing short of fiery fiascos. AP[/caption] Since 2016, North Korea has developed and launched three types of ICBMs, and now appears committed to placing working satellites in space. That would not only provide it with better intelligence on its enemies, but prove it could keep up with other growing space powers in the region, analysts said. North Korea could use such satellites to more effectively target South Korea and Japan or conduct damage assessments during a war, said Ankit Panda of the US-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. On the other hand, if North Korea can verify, with its own satellites, that the United States and its allies are not about to attack, it might reduce tensions and provide stability, he added. With inputs from Reuters