North Korea claims British aircraft carrier was photographed by new spy satellite

HMS Prince of Wales was one of a series of images taken at Norfolk Naval Station. Photo: STEVE REIGATE/STEVE REIGATE

North Korea says its recently launched military surveillance satellite has photographed a British aircraft carrier, as well as US Navy ships, the White House and the Pentagon.

Last week, Pyongyang successfully launched its the first reconnaissance satellite, which he said was intended to monitor military activities of the United States and South Korea. The launch was condemned internationally amid fears it could become a cover for the country's illicit missile technology.

Kim Jong Un, North Korea's leader, personally viewed the latest images taken late Monday, the state agency said. The Korean Central News Agency reported the news on Tuesday.

The account, which could not be verified and did not post photos, claimed that four US Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and a British aircraft carrier were seen in a series of images taken on military -Norfolk Naval Base, Newport News Shipyard and Virginia Airfield.

'Big Leap'

According to a US Navy press release in late September, the UK's largest aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, planned to «make Naval Station Norfolk» on the east coast its temporary home port for a few months of F-35 fighter and drone training.

< p>The ship also took to its Twitter account to wish its hosts in Norfolk a Happy Thanksgiving on November 24th. The Royal Navy has been contacted for comment on Pyongyang's latest statements.

The US National Security Council told South Korean news agency Newsis it could not independently verify Pyongyang's claims but called on the North to immediately stop «its provocative actions.» actions and choose interaction instead.»

Since the launch last week, North Korea has reportedly taken images of cities and military bases in South Korea, Guam and Italy.

However, analysts and foreign governments have questioned the satellite's capabilities and the usefulness of its images.

Dave Schmerler, a satellite imagery expert at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, told Reuters that for medium-resolution satellites to be useful in a conflict, North Korea would need to launch many more to enable more frequent passes over key sites.

“ This is a big leap for them — going from zero to something, but until we can see the images they are collecting data, and we are speculating about options for using it,” he said.

Pyongyang’s defiance of sending a satellite to orbit led to the collapse of a 2018 military pact that was agreed upon with South Korea to suspend the satellite. surveillance activities along their tightly guarded border.

Both countries have vowed to restore guard posts, and Seoul said armed North Korean soldiers have already been seen doing so.

North Korea Actions along the border are fraught with risks rising military tensions and miscalculations, a State Department spokesman said Monday.