Photo/Illutration A TV screen at the Seoul Railway Station in South Korea shows a news report about North Korea's spy satellite launch on Nov. 22. (AP Photo)

North Korea on Nov. 22 claimed it had successfully launched a military reconnaissance satellite, but it is not clear yet if the satellite was actually placed into orbit and is operating properly.

North Korea’s use of ballistic missile technology for the satellite launch is a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. We strongly condemn Pyongyang’s reckless act, which threatens regional stability.

The reconnaissance satellite is intended mainly to monitor the military actions of the United States and South Korea. North Korea has been developing the technology under a five-year plan to enhance its defense capabilities.

After two previous failures, North Korea says this attempt was successful and plans to soon launch several more spy satellites.

The current technological level of North Korean satellites is unclear, but if they are upgraded to become fully operational surveillance satellites, they will pose a serious military threat.

Coupled with North Korea’s ongoing nuclear and missile development programs, the prospect of Pyongyang creating an advanced space-based intelligence gathering system raises concerns of heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The expanding military cooperation between North Korea and Russia is also disturbing.

The United States, Japan and South Korea have accused North Korea of violating Security Council resolutions by supplying weapons and shells to Russia, which is struggling with ammunition shortages in its invasion of Ukraine. In return, North Korea is believed to be seeking military technology from Russia.

South Korea believes that North Korea received technological support from Russia for this satellite launch, and such cooperation may continue, at least for the time being.

As a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, Russia should abide by and enforce the resolutions it voted for concerning North Korea.

Moscow should immediately stop behaving in such a grossly irresponsible manner.

The big strategic question for Japan and other countries concerned is how they should confront North Korea, which is aggressively enhancing its military might by using all means and resources available.

Japan, the United States and South Korea have been putting pressure on the North Korean regime by intensifying their security collaboration, including sharing missile information and conducting joint exercises.

But it is clear from past experiences that a “force against force” approach has its limits.

What is needed is a viable and effective strategy to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table.

While the U.S. administration strongly condemned this launch, it also stated, “The door remains open for diplomacy.”

However, Washington is preoccupied not only with the war in Ukraine but also with the situation in Gaza, leaving little capacity to fully engage in the current security challenges posed by North Korea.

Perhaps Japan and South Korea, as concerned regional nations, should together take the lead and strive to break the deadlock.

As it happens, talks are being held among the governments of Japan, China and South Korea for a trilateral summit, which has not been held since the end of 2019.

If realized, Tokyo and Seoul should hold serious discussions with Beijing, which has influence over the secluded regime in Pyongyang, on how to respond to North Korea’s military threats.

It is vital to take every opportunity to send a strong message to North Korea by stressing that the international community will not adopt inaction in the face of the country’s dangerous military escalation.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 23