Seoul, Nov 2 (IANS): South Korea is set to launch its fifth and final homegrown military spy satellite from the United States on Sunday, marking a significant step toward enhancing its independent surveillance capabilities against North Korea.
According to the Defence Ministry, the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite is scheduled to lift off around 1 a.m. Sunday (US time) from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The launch completes South Korea’s plan to deploy five reconnaissance satellites by the end of this year, aimed at reducing dependence on US satellite data and strengthening its monitoring of North Korean activities.
The ministry said that operating five satellites in a coordinated cluster will allow faster and more precise detection of signs of North Korean provocations, further reinforcing the nation’s three-axis deterrence system. Once all satellites are operational, South Korea will be able to observe the North roughly every two hours.
South Korea launched its first spy satellite in December 2023, equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensors, followed by three SAR-based satellites capable of gathering data in all weather conditions. Meanwhile, North Korea has struggled to advance its own reconnaissance program after a failed satellite launch in May 2024.
