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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reportedly inspected the nation’s military satellite station, according to state media. Kim also approved the next steps that would be taken by the committee overseeing the launch.
North Korean state media outlet KCNA reported that Kim inspected a military satellite station on Tuesday. Kim also approved the next steps that would be taken by the non-permanent satellite-launching preparatory committee, which is overseeing the launch of the isolated nation’s first military intelligence satellite. KCNA did not reveal when the launch will take place.
Kim stressed the need for successfully launching the military intelligence satellite as it is an “urgent requirement of the prevailing security environment of the country,” according to KCNA.
This follows a previous report that earlier this year, North Korea completed the construction of the satellite and that Kim urged the fast-track of the final preparations for the launch.
A report by 38 North, a US-based North Korea monitoring project this week, found that according to satellite images, activity resumed in the Sohae Satellite Launching Station in North Korea after a hiatus of nearly six months. The report noted, however, that there is still a lot to be done for a satellite launch to take place.
Meanwhile, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed to strengthen security and economic cooperation to face the challenges posed by Pyongyang and expand Canadian supplies of minerals that are important in South Korea’s technology industry. Following the meeting, which took place in Seoul ahead of their travel to Japan for the G7 summit, Yoon and Trudeau issued a joint statement condemning North Korea’s growing nuclear arsenal and ballistic missile program and urging Pyongyang to return to the negotiating table for denuclearization talks led by the United States.
Yoon and Trudeau also expressed concern over the human rights violations in North Korea and the “regime’s complete disregard for the wellbeing of its people,” adding that both their governments will look to improve international awareness on the issue.
“We will also be continuing our work to support human rights organizations” that aim to advance human rights in North Korea, Trudeau said during a joint news conference.
Photo: Micha Brandli/Unsplash(CC by 2.0)
