WASHINGTON — North Korea claimed Tuesday its recently launched reconnaissance satellite had snapped photos of the White House, Pentagon, and key US military installations across the world — though questions remain about the technology’s capabilities.
Dictator Kim Jong Un has personally reviewed the images, which were captured late Monday, Pyongyang’s Korea Central News Agency propaganda service claimed.
“[Kim] also received in detail satellite photos of the Norfolk Naval Station, the Newport News Dockyard, and an airfield of Virginia,” KCNA reported.
The Hermit Kingdom is known for bluffing about its military and technological achievements.
North Korea in May announced its first attempt to launch a spy satellite into orbit had failed, losing its thrust after its first stage and crashing into the Yellow Sea.
In June, South Korea salvaged its hostile neighbor’s first satellite from the waters west of the Korean peninsula.
4
Kim Jong Un has personally reviewed images that the North Korean reconnaissance satellite captured on Monday, according to reports. AP
4
North Korea claimed that the satellite had snapped photos of the White House, Pentagon, and key US military installations across the world. REUTERS
Analysis of its remains indicated that its technology was not advanced enough to be capable of military spying from space, despite Pyongyang’s claims, Seoul said this summer.
While the latest launch may be capable of capturing general snapshots, South Korea doubts its value as a reconnaissance asset — noting the satellite’s imaging capabilities may offer little more value than Google Earth.
Technology experts at the time surmised that its camera likely could only recognize large targets such as warships or military bases.
4
“[Kim] also received in detail satellite photos of the Norfolk Naval Station, the Newport News Dockyard, and an airfield of Virginia,” KCNA reported. via REUTERS
In an apparent attempt to prove the authenticity of the new satellite’s images, KCNA claimed that “four US Navy nuclear carriers and one British aircraft carrier were spotted in the photos of the Norfolk Naval Station and the Newport News Dockyard.”
However, information on the carriers’ in-port locations is publicly available.
For example, a quick internet search by The Post revealed the HMS Prince of Wales — one of the United Kingdom’s two aircraft carriers — is currently in Norfolk, according to online fleet trackers.
4
Kim Jong Un (second from left) chats with senior officials as he attends a banquet to celebrate the launch of the reconnaissance satellite. KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Images
So far, there has been no third-party verification of the satellite’s capabilities, and North Korea has not released any of the purported photographs to the public.
But regardless of its surveillance capacity, defense experts have said the launch alone could have benefitted the Kim regime’s work to develop its nuclear, space and ballistics capabilities.
The satellite was launched using ballistic missile technology, which violated United Nations Security Council resolutions that prohibit North Korea from using such capabilities.
News Related-
Panthers-Senators brawl ends in 10-minute penalty for all players on ice
-
Mom of 2 goes missing after leaving mental health treatment in Texas, never boarding plane to California to see kids for Thanksgiving
-
Freed Israeli hostage describes deteriorating conditions while being held by Hamas
-
High stakes and glitz mark the vote in Paris for the 2030 World Expo host
-
RBA boss Michele Bullock concedes borrowers ‘very unhappy’ with rate hikes
-
Australians on alert for scammers after bushfire destroys 18 homes, businesses
-
OnlyFans star Seb Guilhaus set to plead to drug trafficking charges in January
-
Armed gang terrorise couple in violent home invasion
-
LeBron James takes NBA all-time minutes lead in career-worst loss
-
Vikings' Kevin O'Connell to evaluate Josh Dobbs, path forward at QB
-
Lee Hsien Yang ordered to pay damages to Shanmugam, Vivian for defaming them over Ridout Road rentals
-
Cow of breed that produces high-end Japanese beef rakes in record $271,000 at auction
-
North Korea cites rare dissent in elections even as 99% back candidates
-
Faulty pipe caused water leakage and ‘very bad odour’ at Jem mall