U.S. restricts satellite intelligence sharing with South Korea amid controversy over minister's comments
Published: 21 Apr. 2026, 14:54
![North Korea's loudspeakers targeting South Korea as seen from the southern side of the demilitarized zone in Gyeonggi on June 14, 2025. [YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/21/779ff9ac-b458-4c95-9649-eb380c095fd8.jpg)
North Korea's loudspeakers targeting South Korea as seen from the southern side of the demilitarized zone in Gyeonggi on June 14, 2025. [YONHAP]
The United States has partially limited South Korea's access to intelligence on North Korea-related technology collected via satellites, Seoul military officials said Tuesday, following a controversy over the unification minister's disclosure of information about one of Pyongyang's nuclear facilities.
But as the allies have been sharing information regarding surveillance of North Korea, such as the North's missile launch activities, the South Korean military has no problem maintaining its readiness posture, according to the source.
Washington's move came as Unification Minister Chung Dong-young referred to a North Korean uranium enrichment facility in Kusong, North Pyongan Province, at a parliamentary session last month in a rare public disclosure of information on North Korea.
"It's true that the U.S. side has cut back on sharing intelligence on North Korea collected through satellites from early this month," a South Korean senior military official said, adding that the restrictions "are related to information regarding parts of North Korea's technology."
The official did not disclose details about the restricted information, but it is presumed to be related to North Korea's nuclear programs.
He stressed the U.S. move did not affect the South Korean military's readiness posture, noting that intelligence sharing between the allies on "critical" North Korean military activities, including its missile launches, was being carried out "as usual."
Chung mentioned the Kusong uranium enrichment site, along with previously reported nuclear facilities in Yongbyon and Kangson, in his remarks to lawmakers.
The United States has reportedly complained about Chung's disclosure of the information, which it believes was based on intelligence shared by Washington. The Unification Ministry said last week that Chung made the remarks based on "publicly available information."
Chung on Monday expressed regret over accusations that his remarks constituted an information leak, stressing that his reference to Kusong was intended to explain South Korean policies regarding North Korea.
Yonhap
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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