North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reportedly received images of key U.S. locations, including the White House and Pentagon, taken by a North Korean reconnaissance satellite.
What Happened: The North Korean state media KCNA, on Tuesday, reported that Kim had viewed images of strategic U.S. locations, including aircraft carriers stationed at a naval base in Norfolk, captured by a North Korean spy satellite launched last week.
This satellite, North Korea’s first, is reportedly tracking U.S. and South Korean military movements.
Other images include views of “major target regions” such as Seoul and various U.S. military bases. Kim also viewed images of the Andersen Air Force Base in Guam and a U.S. shipyard and airbase in Norfolk and Newport, where four nuclear-powered air carriers and a British air carrier were detected.
Why It Matters: North Korea's decision to launch a military spy satellite last week drew international criticism, with multiple UN Security Council resolutions branding it a blatant violation that prohibits the use of ballistic technology. This event has raised questions about Kim's intentions of enhancing his nuclear-armed nation's military capabilities.
Seoul officials have yet to verify the North’s satellite capabilities as the images have not been publicly released.
The satellite launch has stirred global concern as North Korea has indicated plans for more satellite launches and has increased its military presence along the South Korean border. This has led to escalated regional tension, forcing Seoul to restart aerial surveillance near the border.
Earlier, in response to the controversial satellite launch, South Korea partially suspended a 2018 military pact.
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