File photo: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung
The United States has partially restricted the sharing of satellite intelligence on North Korea with South Korea following remarks by Seoul’s unification minister about a suspected nuclear facility, according to media reports.Unification minister Chung Dong-young told parliament last month that North Korea was believed to be operating a uranium enrichment site in the Kusong region, a claim Washington said disclosed sensitive intelligence without authorisation. According to South Korean news agency Yonhap and other local media outlets, the US has since “limited” some satellite information that was earlier routinely shared with Seoul.The restrictions have been in place “since the beginning of this month” but do “not significantly affect military preparedness,” an unnamed South Korean military official was quoted as saying. As per AFP, the official added that intelligence-sharing on North Korea’s military activities continues “normally” between the two allies.
Row over alleged intelligence leak
The issue has triggered political backlash in South Korea, with opposition parties accusing Chung of damaging ties with Washington. However, the minister defended his remarks, calling it “deeply regrettable” that they were seen as a leak, and insisted the information was based on publicly available sources.President Lee Jae Myung also backed Chung, stating that the existence of the Kusong facility was already widely known through academic research and media reports. “Any claims… that Minister Chung leaked classified information… are wrong,” he said, reported Reuters.
Strategic alliance under scrutiny
While neither South Korea’s defence ministry nor the Pentagon officially confirmed the restrictions, officials stressed that broader intelligence cooperation remains intact. The US maintains around 28,500 troops in South Korea and routinely shares intelligence gathered through satellites and other surveillance systems.North Korea is already known to operate uranium enrichment facilities in Yongbyon and Kangson, and has continued to expand its nuclear capabilities in defiance of international sanctions.The development comes amid rising concerns over Pyongyang’s nuclear programme, with the UN nuclear watchdog recently warning of a “very serious increase” in its ability to produce atomic weapons.