North Korea's military spy satellite launch this week was a success after multiple failed attempts, the country announced. According to state media outlet Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the newly launched satellite provided North Korean leadership with photo images of key South Korean and U.S. military bases. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the Pyongyang General Control Centre of the National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA) on Friday to learn about the developments in using the spy satellite. KCNA reported that Kim "learned in detail about the photos of major target areas in the enemy region, including Mokpho, Kunsan, Phyongthaek, Osan, and Seoul, and of various regions in the country, taken by the reconnaissance satellite while passing through the Korean Peninsula." The report also mentioned that NATA informed Kim about the plan for photographing enemy regions and the additional fine-tuning process of the reconnaissance satellite.

Furthermore, on Saturday, Kim returned to the command center to review further satellite images, which included regions such as Jinhae, Busan, Ulsan, Pohang, Daegu, and Gangneung in South Korea. North Korean state media claimed to have taken photos of the Pearl Harbor naval base and Hickam Air Base in Honolulu as well, although no images were released. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff acknowledged the apparent success of the Malligyong-1 satellite launch into orbit but stopped short of confirming its operational capabilities. This was North Korea's third attempt to launch a military spy satellite into orbit, with previous attempts in May and August that ended in failure due to technical issues. State media also mentioned that similar operations are planned for the future to strengthen North Korea's war capabilities.

The satellite launch raised concerns among neighboring countries and the United States. North Korean state media reported that Kim Jong Un examined photos taken by the satellite of "major target regions", including Seoul and cities that host U.S. military bases. The capabilities of the satellite, named Malligyong-1, have not been independently verified by South Korean defense officials and analysts. During his visit to the NATA control center on Friday, Kim examined the photos of Seoul and other cities, such as Mokpo, Kunsan, Pyeongtaek, and Osan, where U.S. and South Korean military bases are located. KCNA stated that the photos were taken as the satellite passed over the Korean Peninsula on Friday morning.

Kim returned to the control center on Saturday to examine additional photos taken in the morning of different target regions in South Korea, including Jinhae, Busan, Ulsan, Pohang, Daegu, and Gangneung. One of the photos showed the U.S. aircraft carrier Carl Vinson, which had recently arrived at a port in Busan. Additionally, Kim inspected photos of the U.S. Naval Station Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Force Base, taken by the satellite as it passed over Hawaii early on Saturday. North Korea used this opportunity to criticize the United States, stating that providing advanced weapons to its “puppets” would result in catastrophic consequences and a global nuclear war.

The launch also prompted a response from top diplomats of Japan, South Korea, and the United States, who spoke on Friday and strongly condemned the launch's destabilizing effect on the region. In a separate commentary carried by KCNA, North Korea criticized the United States for its arms support to South Korea and warned about the potential for a conflict on the Korean peninsula. South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik stated that North Korea had exaggerated by claiming that Kim had already viewed images of the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam.

While the launch of the military spy satellite is seen as a significant achievement for North Korea, independent verification of its capabilities remains a crucial factor. The successful launch raises concerns about the country's continuing efforts to fortify its war capabilities and its potential impact on regional stability.