UNITED NATIONS, November 27. /TASS/. The recent launch of North Korea’s first reconnaissance satellite is a direct consequence of the US' aggressive military behavior in the Korean Peninsula, according to Kim Song, the North Korean envoy to the UN.
"The launch of the first reconnaissance satellite is directly related to the reckless military actions of the United States," he said in a speech at a UN Security Council meeting.
Kim Song said the US' aggressive activity in the region is becoming increasingly visible. North Korea launched the satellite, he said, to get "a clear picture of the movements by the armed forces of the US and their allies." In doing so, Pyongyang exercised its right to self-defense, the diplomat said.
North Korea launched the reconnaissance satellite on November 21. In response, South Korea on November 22 announced it was partially suspending an agreement to reduce tensions between the two Koreas. The suspension concerned no-fly zones. On November 23, the North Korean Defense Ministry said that it was halting compliance with the entire agreement and would resume operations that used to be prohibited.