North Korea's Spy Satellite Begins Operations, Sends First Images of U.S. Bases in Hawaii and South Korea

  North Korea's state-run news agency reported on Saturday that the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had reviewed images captured by the newly launched spy satellite, which includes "areas that represent key targets" such as the U.S. military base in Pearl Harbor and sites in South Korea. Meanwhile, foreign ministers from South Korea, Japan, and the United States strongly condemned the satellite launch, citing its destabilizing impact on the region.

The North Korean news agency reported on Saturday that the spy satellite launched by Pyongyang had commenced taking pictures that were reviewed by the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. These images covered areas deemed "key targets" according to the North Korean official agency.

Pyongyang successfully placed a military satellite into orbit earlier this week, but Seoul mentioned that it is premature to confirm if the satellite is functioning as claimed by North Korea.

Experts indicate that deploying a reconnaissance satellite into orbit would enhance Pyongyang's intelligence-gathering capabilities over South Korea and provide crucial data in any potential military conflict.

Furthermore, Pyongyang had announced on Tuesday, shortly after the launch, that Kim had viewed images of major U.S. military bases in Guam taken by the "Malgyong-1" satellite.

North Korea stated on Saturday that Kim had reviewed images captured as the satellite passed over Hawaii around 5 AM, including a picture of "the naval base in Pearl Harbor and the Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu." Kim also reviewed images from the South Korean coastal city of Busan captured at 10 AM local time, according to Pyongyang.

North Korea mentioned that among the images was one of the U.S. aircraft carrier "Carl Vinson" operating with nuclear propulsion.

Earlier on Saturday, North Korea's news agency reported that Kim had reviewed images captured by the satellite of "areas considered key targets" in South Korea, including the capital Seoul, and other cities hosting U.S. bases. The report also included areas in North Korea, as mentioned by the same source.

Among the South Korean cities mentioned in the report is Pyeongtaek, about 60 kilometers from Seoul, which hosts "Camp Humphreys," the largest U.S. military base abroad. This city also hosts the "Osan" Air Base, including the command of the South Korean Air Force, as well as a U.S. Air Force base.

"Assistance from Moscow"

The launch of North Korea's spy satellite led to the suspension of a five-year military agreement aimed at reducing tensions on the Korean Peninsula by both countries. Seoul partially announced its suspension.

Additionally, foreign ministers of South Korea, Japan, and the United States strongly condemned the satellite launch on Friday, citing its destabilizing effect on the region in a joint phone call, as mentioned in a statement from the U.S. State Department.

The statement reaffirmed that the launch "utilized ballistic missile technology in violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions."

South Korea's National Intelligence Service mentioned that after two unsuccessful attempts to place such a satellite in orbit during the current year, Pyongyang received assistance from Moscow this time.

North Korea's official news agency announced on Saturday that the North Korean Space Technology Agency would continue "additional tuning operations" to improve the satellite's performance.