Daily NK obtained the full text of the ‘Space Development Act’ that North Korea revised through the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly in August 2022.
The revised bill significantly supplements the space development purpose and management system of the existing bill and stipulates ‘strengthening national defense capabilities’. It appears that North Korea regards space development as a core part of its national defense strategy, not just a scientific and technological challenge.
Article 1 of the revised Space Development Act, obtained by this newspaper, clarifies the mission of national space development by adding a new clause, ‘Contributing to strengthening the country’s defense capabilities.’
In addition, Article 3 emphasized the national defense nature of space development by using the expression ‘strengthening self-defense defense capabilities’. In addition, Article 8 included ‘promoting space development projects to strengthen national defense capabilities’ in the mission of the national space development guidance agency.
However, ‘observation rockets’ and ‘ballistic missiles’ were excluded from the definition of space objects in Article 2, and Article 4 included the provision that ‘the safety of the launch and operation of space objects is guaranteed in accordance with international standards.’ This appears to be an attempt to respond to the international community’s criticism that this is in fact weapons development under the pretense of space development.
In addition, the revised law specifically reorganized the role, duties, and authority of the national space development guidance agency in Articles 7 and 8. According to this, the national space development guidance organization oversees the entire space development project process, including ▲ establishment of a comprehensive plan ▲ supervision and control ▲ guidance on design, production, assembly, launch, and operation of space objects ▲ technology certification.
In addition, Article 38 of the revised law stipulates the training of talent in space science and technology. Specifically, the article states that the central educational guidance institution must establish a space science and technology talent training system, nurture scientists, engineers, and experts in the space development field, and raise their technical level.
Subsequently, Article 40 stipulated that social preferential treatment would be given to space developers, providing legal support to ensure conditions for them to focus on development. This can be interpreted as the purpose of maximizing business capabilities through nurturing professional talent as well as motivating developers.
Hwang Hyun-wook, a senior researcher at the Daily NK AND Center, said, “The revised Space Development Act clearly shows an intention to specify defense capabilities but make it appear to be separate from military purposes.” “It appears that considerable attention and effort is being paid to systematizing the organization and nurturing talent at a national level,” he said.
Senior Researcher Hwang analyzed, “Ultimately, the revised Space Development Act appears to be North Korea’s attempt to strengthen internal solidarity and promote external strategies by vaguely setting the boundaries between peaceful development and military use.”
This means that the dual attitude of placing space development as an extension of military strategy while trying to avoid diplomatic criticism by including content in the law that appears to comply with the norms of the international community is clearly revealed in this revised law.
Meanwhile, North Korea has also significantly strengthened responsibility and punishment provisions related to space development.
In fact, North Korea stipulates in Article 47 of the Amendment Act that: ▲if the space science research plan was not met, adjusted or changed without approval, or falsely reported the plan performance rate; ▲if the launch and operation of a space object was not carried out in accordance with the requirements of technical regulations, resulting in an accident; ▲space research. Punishment regulations have been established for a total of eight acts, including leaking secrets related to development.
At the same time, it was also specified (Article 48) that if a violation of the law amounts to a crime, criminal responsibility will be imposed according to the criminal law.
By stipulating punishment regulations, carelessness and inefficiency are prevented in the process of project promotion and execution, and supervision and control of space development projects are strengthened.
Source: www.dailynk.com
