russian satellite, russia, kim jong un, putin, workers
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un looks around the Vostochny space base during his visit to Russia at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sept. 13, 2023. (Rodong Sinmun-News1)

Following North Korea’s switch from China’s ChinaSat 12 to the Russian Express 103 for foreign satellite broadcasting of Korean Central Television, the regime’s propaganda and agitation department distributed materials to senior party officials explaining the decision’s significance.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source in North Korea told Daily NK on Saturday that the lecture material distributed by the Central Committee’s Propaganda and Agitation Department on July 6 emphasized that the government’s revised satellite policy is designed to maximize the country’s strategic advantage.

The department stressed that the technical superiority of the Russian satellite could provide higher resolution and fidelity for North Korean television broadcasts and that strengthening the North’s strategic alliance with Russia could give the North more leverage in the international arena.

The department’s lecture materials also emphasized that the policy change would increase economic efficiency. Since the Russian satellite offers better performance than the Chinese satellite, the government’s satellite usage costs will decrease.

Another benefit of the switch, according to the ministry, is that it will raise North Korea’s technological level by acquiring technology to operate satellites.

Notably, the ministry said in the lecture material that the satellite transition has been carried out quickly and that there are more areas for improvement in the future.

The ministry said that in addition to recruiting more technical staff needed to access the Russian satellite and providing them with professional training, it will have its technical staff work with their counterparts at the Korean Central News Agency to regularly evaluate the work on the satellite transition and solve any problems that may arise.

The ministry also unveiled plans to conduct a joint research and development project to further strengthen cooperation with Russia.

This lecture material indicates that North Korea is determined to arrange the transfer of key technologies, including spy satellites, through cooperation with Russia. This is consistent with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s pledge to support North Korea’s satellite development, a promise he made during North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s visit to Russia’s Pacific Fleet in September 2023.

Some analysts speculate cooling in China-North Korea ties

North Korea’s satellite transition appears to be part of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement signed by Putin and Kim in June.

Some analysts believe that North Korea’s decision to stop using Chinese satellites reflects its desire to focus even more on its relationship with Russia.

Mao Ning, spokeswoman for China’s Foreign Ministry, downplayed speculation that the growing relationship between North Korea and Russia has caused a corresponding chill in the North’s relations with China.

“Typically, satellite services are commercial activities, and when it comes to business cooperation, decisions are usually made by the parties to the cooperation. It doesn’t sound like something to read too much into,” Mao said on July 5.

Daily NK works with a network of sources living in North Korea, China, and elsewhere. Their identities remain anonymous for security reasons.

Please send any comments or questions about this article to dailynkenglish@uni-media.net.

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