A report from the Korean Central News Agency details the launch sequence for a new North Korean reconnaissance satellite. The dispatch included photo material and was disseminated via government media channels, signaling a formal official briefing intended for international observers and domestic audiences alike.
KCNA described a successful operation by the State General Administration of Aerospace Engineering, noting that the new reconnaissance satellite, named Manrigen-1, was launched on 112 Juche year, which corresponds to 2023, at 22 hours 42 minutes and 28 seconds. The report specifies that the launch used the Chollima-1 class carrier from the Sohae Space Launch Center located in Cheolsan County, within North Pyongyang Province. The timing aligns with Moscow time, highlighting the cross time zone reporting common in official North Korean communications and the coordination with allied international observers.
According to KCNA, the Chollima-1 vehicle followed its planned flight path without deviation and succeeded in placing the satellite Manrigyong-1 into its intended orbit at 22 hours 54 minutes 13 seconds, just over two and a half minutes after the launch. The explicit duration of the ascent and the precision of the orbital insertion are emphasized to illustrate the reliability of the new launch system and its readiness for ongoing aerospace missions deemed critical by North Korean authorities.
In parallel with the satellite mission, regional security developments were referenced, noting ongoing concerns about intelligence activities along the North Korean border. The briefing touches on broader regional intelligence operations and their implications for neighboring countries, illustrating how satellite capabilities are tied to strategic surveillance and defense planning in the current geopolitical climate.
Further statements from the North Korean leadership and defense establishments are cited to underscore the strategic posture surrounding nuclear deterrence. The narrative points to past and recent movements, including the deployment of submarines and the potential signaling effect of naval and space-based assets. It underscores a stance that any escalation or threat would be met with a resolute response, framing the country’s posture as one of readiness and deterrence within the regional order. The overall tone emphasizes sovereignty, security, and a commitment to advancing national defense capabilities through investments in space launch technology and related aerospace programs, while signaling a willingness to engage in high-level dialogue under certain conditions.