The North Korea claimed to have started space development since the 1980s, but was passive in disclosing specific information. Due to the limitation and opacity of access to information, the international community and neighboring countries have evalu...
The North Korea claimed to have started space development since the 1980s, but was passive in disclosing specific information. Due to the limitation and opacity of access to information, the international community and neighboring countries have evaluated North Korea's alleged space activities so far as to be related to ballistic missile technology in terms of disarmament and non-proliferation.
However, Kim Jong-Un's ruling stance, which deviated from ambiguity and opacity compared to his predecessor, had the same effect on space activities claimed by North Korea. As a result, North Korea has claimed to be pursuing three "Five-year Plan for the National Aerospace Development" since 2012. This paper analyzed laws, systems, governance, and R&D processes organized around North Korea's three five-year plan for the national aerospace development in the Kim Jong-Un period.
In the first period of the five-year plan, it was a time to build infrastructure for national space activities, but rather moved away from international cooperation in outer space and became subject to sanctions. From the second five-year plan, North Korea revealed the possibility military use of space technology and focused on securing various launch vehicles, including ballistic missiles, through the newly developed Baekdusan engine. The third five-year plan is being carried out entirely focusing on the development and operation of military reconnaissance satellites. Accordingly, the results that have been continuously promoted with the aim of military use of outer space are being disclosed gradually.
In order for South Korea to effectively respond to North Korea's military use of space technology, an objective analysis and evaluation of North Korea's space capabilities are needed. North Korea could undermine the existing order in outer space at any time. To ensure the safety and sustainability of space activities of international members, North Korea must provide transparent and confident information on its space activities to the international community for the “responsible behaviour in outer space” currently under discussion.