North Korea Criticizes Japan’s Space Policy

January 26, 2009 at 10:39 am | Posted in Space Law | Leave a comment

by P.J. Blount with the blog faculty

From the Korean Central News Agency of DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea):

KCNA Calls for Checking Japan’s Moves for Space Militarization
Pyongyang, January 21 (KCNA) — The Japan Defense Ministry reportedly made public a basic policy on the development and use of space on Jan. 16.

The policy deals with the development of radio wave information gathering satellite, launch of smaller satellite by use of airplane and other issues with main emphasis on the development of an early warning satellite.

Japan’s hasty development of an early warning satellite system, which has been pursued only by a few military powers, means that its scheme for space militarization has entered a new phase.

Such moves of Japan are prompted by its aggressive ambition to hold a military edge in space and thus realize its overseas expansion.

By zealously stepping up the moves for space militarization Japan threw away the principle of “peaceful use of space” which it has advocated in name only. . . . [Full Story]