South Korea to purchase four spy satellites by 2020

The Defense Ministry will forge technological cooperation with countries including Germany to secure at least four spy satellites by 2012.The ministry yesterday said multipurpose satellites either in use or set for launch are unfit for military activities. This is according to an internal document on military satellites and the Space Exploitation Act obtained by The Dong-A Ilbo.

The military will spend 600 billion to 700 billion won (514 million to 600 million U.S. dollars) by 2020 to purchase four spy satellites.In the document, the ministry said Korea could acquire its own spy satellites with a relatively small budget before 2020 if it joins forces with nations that have developed spy satellites.