North Korea says it was testing systems for its spy satellite, and justifies this by announcing that it views actions by the U.S. and South Korea to be provocative. But after the recent failure to launch, a North Korea spy satellite is now the least of the alliance’s worries. There are concerns that such launches could have much more sinister aims and may help North Korea develop more advanced rocketry. Of course, an actual spy satellite isn’t exactly what the U.S. or South Korea wants either. Neither does Japan, who is prepared to act should North Korea’s ventures get too close to the borders of their nation. Related read: Newest Space Force Korea Unit Highlights Growing North Korea Threat

Does North Korea Have Spy Satellites?

As of this writing, there is no North Korea spy satellite in existence. But the reclusive nation is making waves, per usual, with its announcement of the completion of a spy satellite that they had planned to launch in 2023. On May 30, 2023, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea made the claim that June 2023 would be the first time in the nation’s history that they'd have a successful satellite for espionage purposes. The country claimed that a spy satellite would be operational and is necessary because of military exercises between the United States and South Korea. North Korea's planned satellite launch has been criticized as a banned ballistic missile test, and the nation's capability for real-time tracking of U.S. and South Korean military activities is uncertain. Both North Korea's rhetoric and the U.S.-South Korean joint military exercises have escalated in recent months in a cycle of retaliation. North Korea informed Japan's coast guard about the satellite launch, prompting warnings of shooting down satellite debris and safety precautions for ships in the affected seas. North Korean military official Ri Pyong Chol criticized the U.S.-South Korean military exercises, emphasizing the importance of space-based reconnaissance to monitor them. The criticism follows large-scale live-fire drills conducted near the border by the South Korean and U.S. militaries, exercises they have conducted throughout the alliance's 70-year lifespan. These exercises are deemed defensive by Washington and Seoul, who have increased their training in response to North Korea's changing threats. Ri highlighted the drills by the United States and South Korea as yet another reason for a North Korea spy satellite. Because of the military actions deemed dangerous by Pyongyang, the nation believes that preemptive action is possible and that real-time information is necessary for the nation’s survival in case of invasion. South Korea had issued a warning to North Korea, stating that the planned satellite launch would violate UN Security Council resolutions prohibiting the use of ballistic technology. The South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized that the joint exercises and defense posture are not excuses for the launch, and urged North Korea to cancel its plans. Suggested read: South Korea Nuclear Weapons Are a Lose-Lose Situation South Korea recently launched its own satellite, and the South Korean and U.S. militaries are closely monitoring North Korea's actions following the failed satellite launch. Specific assessments of the satellite's capabilities if it had succeeded and preparations for falling debris were not disclosed. Kim Jong Un of North Korea aims to develop North Korean spy satellites and advanced weapons like intercontinental ballistic missiles, nuclear-powered submarines, hypersonic missiles, and multi-warhead missiles. However, doubts have arisen regarding the capabilities of North Korea's previous Earth-observation satellites, which likely did not transmit imagery. The recently showcased device in state media appears too small and rudimentary for high-resolution imagery. Since 2022, North Korea has conducted around 100 missile tests, including ICBMs capable of reaching the United States, and simulated nuclear attacks on targets in South Korea.

Japan is Prepared for Military Action

Prior to the launch, Japan's Defense Chief directed troops to activate missile interceptors and get ready to shoot down North Korea spy satellite debris that may fall on Japanese territory from a North Korean satellite launch. Of the approximately 100 missile tests in response to joint U.S.-South Korean military drills, some missiles flew over Japan or landed near its coast. In preparation for a possible attack masked as a satellite launch, Japan's defense minister ordered the readiness of PAC-3 surface-to-air missiles and the deployment of destroyers equipped with SM-3 ship-to-air missiles. Further weapon tests from North Korea are expected as the joint air exercise between the United States and South Korea continues.

Successful North Korea Spy Satellite Will Have to Wait

The ambition of North Korea to launch a spy satellite could open up a new chapter of tension. While there are other satellites for the nation in orbit, they are not designated for espionage. Among all of the things that are happening with these nations that continue to escalate tensions, the launch came and went as a failure for North Korea after all. The North Korea spy satellite launch failed as its rocket fell into the sea, but unfortunately, that isn't the end of the saga. There should be more launches anticipated, with a future spy satellite attempt possibly coming in the next few weeks to months, and more back-and-forth drama between the opposing nations. North Korea's spy satellite may not be in the skies just yet, but the story will continue to develop without a drastic change in the geopolitical arena we're currently facing. Read next: Korean War Dates: Three Years of Battle, a Lifetime of Recovery