North Korean state media reported on Thursday that the isolated nation has successfully used a new spy satellite to monitor U.S. military bases.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) stated that the satellite, named Malligyong-1, was put into official operation after being launched on Nov. 21 using a Chollima-1 rocket. The completed launch was reported by Pyongyang after failed attempts in May and August.
KCNA stated that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un was shown ‘detailed’ images from the Malligyong-1 that were taken between Nov. 25 and Nov. 27.
The report indicated that Kim viewed photos of the Anderson Air Force Base in Guam, the Norfolk Naval Station and the Pentagon in Virginia, and an aerial view of the White House.
There has been no independent confirmation of the existence of the photographs or if the spacecraft in question is capable of reconnaissance.
South Korean intelligence agencies have suggested that the satellite’s launch may have been expedited with technological assistance from Russia, likely in exchange for the recent military aid that the Stalinist regime has provided to Moscow for its armed forces in Ukraine.
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