For the first time, it has been confirmed that North Korea has been conducting prolonged and repeated radio attacks against South Korean satellites.
According to information obtained from the Ministry of National Defense by Rep. Yoo Yong-won of the People Power Party, a member of the National Defense Committee, North Korean forces have launched multiple radio attacks on South Korean satellites from the early 2010s through 2024.
Rep. Yoo noted that these attacks appear to be aimed at disrupting the normal operations of South Korean military Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) reconnaissance satellites, communication satellites, and civilian satellites.
North Korean forces have previously inflicted damage on South Korean military assets through several radio attacks.
In April 2024, a South Korean Navy S-100 reconnaissance drone crashed near the Northwestern Islands. A joint military-civilian investigation concluded that North Korean forces had caused global positioning system (GPS) disruptions. Later that year, in November, a South Korean military Heron drone crashed, followed by the loss of a KUS-9 reconnaissance drone in December, both reportedly due to GPS interference from North Korean forces.
During the 9th Congress of the Workers’ Party in February, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hinted at plans to enhance the country’s electronic and space warfare capabilities as part of a new five-year defense strategy.
Kim outlined several advanced military systems, including a comprehensive intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system launched from land and sea, an artificial intelligence (AI) powered unmanned attack system, specialized assets for targeting enemy satellites, powerful electronic warfare systems designed to paralyze enemy command centers, and advanced reconnaissance satellites.
Intelligence reports suggest that North Korea is rapidly advancing its satellite attack capabilities with support from Russia.
The Multinational Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), a coalition of 11 countries including the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, reported in May that Russia has been providing North Korea with electronic warfare systems, jamming equipment, and operational expertise since November 2024.
In June, the National Intelligence Service briefed the National Assembly’s Intelligence Committee, stating that Russia appears to have supplied North Korea with jamming equipment and technical guidance in exchange for troop deployment.
The Korea Institute for Defense Analysis (KIDA) released a report last month predicting that North Korea is likely to pursue the development and deployment of various methods to neutralize enemy satellites.
Rep. Yoo emphasized that the advancement of North Korea’s electronic warfare capabilities poses a severe threat not only to South Korean military operations but also directly endangers civilian lives and infrastructure, including commercial aircraft and fishing vessels. He stressed the urgent need for comprehensive measures to protect satellites, which are critical to national security and communication networks.