The US Space Force is launched on South Korea, marking it as the first international base to be used as part of the West’s efforts to monitor North Korea amid the increasing political tensions.
According to the reports, one of the main functions of the South Korean Space Force unit is to monitor the air space operations in the region, including the issuance of missile warnings.
In a statement released by Space Forces Korea commander Lt. Col. Joshua McCullion, he claimed that “the hope is that they see we are ready. Myself and my guardians are ready to go day or night.”
The recent move came after North Korea, led by its leader, dictator Kim Jong Un tested the country’s long-range ballistic missiles last month and fired towards the sea off the Korean Peninsula’s east coast which landed at sea near the coast of Japan.
It became controversial and sparked outrage from South Korea’s presidential office, prompting it to release a statement and “strongly condemned” Pyongyang for escalating tensions.
Moreover, the recent North Korean activity was also confirmed by Japan and South Korea.
The US Space Force has settled on South Korea as the first international base as an added check on North Korea as tensions remain high. https://t.co/mFN3CSYmpi— Cheddar News (@cheddar) December 14, 2022
According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the two medium-range missiles flew about 500 kms (311 miles). In addition, Japan’s Vice Defence Minister Toshiro Ino also revealed that the missiles have landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
At the time of writing, there had been no report of damages yet.
In an official statement released by South Korea’s JCS, it was revealed that “North Korea’s ballistic missiles were launched at steep angles and landed in the East Sea.”
“South Korean and the United States intelligence authorities are conducting a thorough analysis, factoring recent trends related to North Korea’s missile development,” they added.
Moreover, after the launching of missiles, South Korea gathered for a National Security Council (NSC) meeting.
South Korea’s presidential office then released a statement, saying “the North’s continued provocations and development of nuclear weapons and missiles would further endanger the North Korean regime.”
Furthermore, in a news report released by KCNA news agency, it was revealed that the country has been using the launching ground to test missile technologies which includes rocket engines and space launch vehicles.
“North Korea has conducted an unprecedented number of missile tests this year, including an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, despite international bans and sanctions,” the report read.
