◀ Anchor ▶
The US government has pointed to the Chinese military as behind the operation of the reconnaissance balloon.
It is known that it has conducted at least 24 surveillance missions not only in the United States but also on five continents around the world.
Correspondent Sujin Kim in Washington.
◀ Report ▶
The recently discovered reconnaissance balloon is part of a surveillance program run by the People’s Liberation Army of China, the US government said.
According to US media reports such as CNN, the US government said that China has conducted reconnaissance activities in recent years and has conducted 24 surveillance missions on at least five continents.
The Associated Press reported that the State Department has identified more than 40 countries under surveillance by China.
The US government is known to have conveyed this fact to regarding 40 countries and to rally the alliance.
[웬디 셔먼/미국 국무부 부장관]
“We are not trying to start another cold war with China. But we are asking them to play by the same rules, and we are stepping up our cooperation with our partners to compete with China.”
The FBI is conducting an analysis of the remnants of a reconnaissance balloon shot down over the Atlantic Ocean on the 4th by injecting intelligence analysis agents and scientists.
It is known that it is difficult to determine China’s intentions as it is still in the early stages of analysis.
U.S. media are reporting that the reconnaissance balloons sent by China to locations around the world are equipped with equipment that can take precise images, and satellite transmissions are also possible.
[존 테스터 /미국 민주당 상원의원](Montana)
″We did not accidentally send scout balloons to the United States. We need to make sure that America is safe, what they get from invading our airspace. China needs to explain their actions.″
The US House of Representatives has adopted a resolution condemning the Chinese Communist Party for violating US sovereignty, and calls for a strong response to China are growing.
This is MBC News Kim Soo-jin from Washington.
