North Korea uses Japanese-made cameras and South Korean-made parts on satellite whose wrap-up party failed in May = South Korean media report

South Korean newspaper Dong-A Ilbo reported that North Korea held a wrap-up party in May of this year, and it was discovered that a commercial digital camera made in Japan was attached to the failed military reconnaissance satellite Manlikyong 1.
It was reported that. Korean media, including the same newspaper, also reported that Manlikyo 1 contained electronic components made in Korea as major components. Meanwhile, on the 21st of this month, North Korea announced its third military reconnaissance satellite.
The wrap-up party is claimed to have been successful this time. However, the Dong-A Ilbo reports that the South Korean government's view is that ``It is unlikely that North Korea has independently acquired the technological capabilities of reconnaissance satellites that incorporate cutting-edge technology.''
ing. On May 31st of this year, North Korea launched a space projectile called Cheonlima-1 carrying Manlikyo-1 from the Sohae Satellite Launch Site in North Pyongan Province. However, the location
After the first stage separated, the second stage engine malfunctioned, causing it to lose propulsion and crash into the Yellow Sea west of the Korean Peninsula. North Korea also admitted its failure after the wrap-up party.
About an hour and a half after the wrap-up party, the South Korean military found what appeared to be the remains of a projectile at the point of impact and began recovery efforts. But the remains
is heavy and difficult to work with. Navy divers were also brought in, but the cylindrical wreckage had a slippery surface and it was difficult to secure it with wires, so it took a long time to salvage it. On the ocean floor at a depth of 75 meters
Divers carefully attached wires to the wreckage, and finally succeeded in salvaging it on June 15, 15 days after the wreckage was discovered. Later, the satellite was also recovered, and a joint US-South Korea investigation team separated it.
We proceeded with the analysis. The South Korean military released the results of its analysis in July, concluding that the satellite has no practical use as a military reconnaissance satellite. On the other hand, the South Korean military did not provide any basis for that conclusion. South Korea
According to the newspaper Chosun Ilbo at the time, reconnaissance satellites must have a resolution of at least 1 meter, but this satellite's performance is far inferior to that of regular commercial satellites.
It was. The analysis revealed that the technology did not meet the standards claimed by North Korea. As reported by Korean media such as South Korean public broadcaster KBS by the 28th of this month,
As a result of further detailed analysis by the South Korean and U.S. militaries of the remains of Manlikyo 1, which failed in its wrap-up party in May, it was discovered that South Korean-made electronic components were used in the main parts of the satellite. I understand. KBS is
``Experts have analyzed that North Korea may have smuggled South Korean-made electronic components distributed overseas through China and other countries and used them to develop reconnaissance satellites.'' .
The Dong-A Ilbo also found that the satellite was equipped with a Japanese-made commercial digital camera. According to the paper, production of the model has ended.
It is an older model, and analysis shows that its maximum resolution is enough to identify objects 5 meters in length and width. North Korea is under sanctions from the international community, and is shipping off parts and optical equipment related to satellite manufacturing.
External procurement violates the United Nations Security Council's resolutions imposing sanctions against North Korea. North Korea held its third wrap-up party on the 21st of this month after unsuccessful wrap-up parties for Manlikyo-1 in May and August. Next day 22nd
The Korean Central News Agency reported the success, claiming that the satellite had "accurately entered" Earth's orbit. The wrap-up party was reportedly attended by Kim Jung Eun, and the same news agency reported that Kim Jung Eun was also present.
It was reported that he ``enthusiastically congratulated'' those involved. Afterwards, North Korea claimed that the wrap-up party, Manrikyo 1, photographed major US military facilities in the Korean Peninsula as well as the US territories of Guam and Hawaii. moreover
According to the Korean Central News Agency on the 28th, the Manlikyong 1 photographed the White House in the US capital Washington and the Pentagon on the outskirts of the United States on the night of the 27th, and Kim Jong Il confirmed the photographed materials. deer
However, so far, the images allegedly taken have not been made public, and there is some skepticism in Japan, the United States, and South Korea about the satellite's operational capabilities. Dong-A Ilbo said, ``They are trying to hide their reconnaissance capabilities, such as the resolution level.
It seems that there is.” According to the newspaper, the South Korean government believes that North Korea's reconnaissance satellite technology will function properly considering that it will take at least three years to secure the appropriate reconnaissance satellite technology.
I don't think it has reached that level. Regarding Manlikyo-1, which North Korea held a wrap-up party for on the 21st, the same newspaper said, ``Not only South Korean-made satellite-related parts and equipment from other countries are also used in home appliances and electronic devices.
It is also possible that they smuggled the items they had been using and used them by piecing them together.''