S. Korea Launches 2nd Spy Satellite

South Korea has achieved a significant milestone by successfully launching its second indigenous reconnaissance satellite into orbit.

The satellite was deployed aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, as reported by South Korean media on Monday, citing the South Korean Defense Ministry.

The rocket blasted off at 8:17 a.m. local time in Seoul (23:17 GMT on Sunday) and placed the intelligence satellite into orbit about 45 minutes later, according to reports from a South Korean news agency. The satellite then established communication with an unspecified foreign ground station at 10:57 a.m.

This launch marks South Korea's second military satellite deployment as part of its strategic initiative to have five reconnaissance satellites in orbit by 2025, primarily aimed at monitoring North Korea's activities.

The move comes amid growing concerns about North Korea's efforts to enhance its space reconnaissance capabilities, potentially bolstering its precision strike capability against strategic targets in South Korea and the United States.

In a parallel development, on November 21, 2023, Pyongyang successfully launched its Malligyong-1 reconnaissance satellite into orbit using the Chollima-1 carrier rocket, following two unsuccessful attempts in May and August.

Consequently, South Korea took measures, partially suspending the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement designed to de-escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula. 

In response, Pyongyang announced its decision to reinstate all military measures suspended under the 2018 inter-Korean military accord.