The action taken by North Korea comes in the wake of South Korea’s decision to partially suspend the military agreement between the two countries. This came after North Korea launched a spy satellite last week.
South Korea, Japan and the United States, among others, condemned the launch. This would conflict with UN Security Council resolutions prohibiting North Korea from using ballistic missiles. The use of such a rocket was necessary to deliver the satellite into space.
North Korea has not paid much attention to these decisions for several years. The country reiterated on Monday that it has every right to launch satellites.
Via the government news agency Korean Central News Agency The State Department stated that the launch was a “legal and justified means of exercising the right to self-defense.” The country will use the satellite to monitor “the military efforts of the United States and its followers.”
