U.S. State Dept. Says North Korean Space Launchers Utilize Ballistic Missile Technology

The U.S. State Department has pointed out that North Korea's space launch vehicle launches utilized ballistic missile technology, which violates United Nations Security Council resolutions. A State Department spokesperson told VOA on February 20th that if all of North Korea's launches use ballistic missile technology, it violates UN Security Council Resolutions 2087 and 2270. He added that all UN member states are expected to comply with Security Council resolutions prohibiting scientific and technical cooperation with North Korea.

UN Security Council Resolution 2087 was adopted in 2013 in response to North Korea's long-range rocket launch and prohibits all launches utilizing ballistic missile technology. Resolution 2270, adopted in 2016 after North Korea's fourth nuclear test, strengthened existing sanctions against the North. Both resolutions define North Korea's development and testing of ballistic missile technology under the pretext of space development as a violation.

Robert Peters, a research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, analyzed that North Korea's space launch vehicle technology could be diverted for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). He explained that there is little technical difference between a satellite-carrying launcher and a warhead-carrying missile, and the necessary technology is the same in terms of the delivery system.

North Korea's state-run website 'Naenara' claimed on February 12th that its space development program is a legitimate right of a sovereign state. The website stated it prioritizes possessing practical weather observation satellites, Earth observation satellites, and communication satellites, and is introducing space science and technology in various fields such as agriculture, fisheries, weather observation, and communications. It also added that it is cultivating experts in space law to defend the right to legitimate space utilization.