Rising Tensions Over North Korea's Planned Satellite Launch (Free ESL Lesson)

Lesson made on May 29, 2023

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Reading Lesson:

North Korea has told Japan that they're planning to launch a satellite soon. Some people think this could be a military satellite, which can spy from space. The Japanese government is ready to shoot down the satellite or any pieces that might fall onto Japan. They've warned that the launch could affect areas in the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and near the Philippines.

If North Korea sends a satellite into space, they'll be using a type of technology that the United Nations says they shouldn't use. In the past, when North Korea launched satellites, people thought they were secretly testing missiles. The Japanese government believes this launch would break rules set by the United Nations and could harm the safety of many countries.

South Korea also warned North Korea, saying they shouldn't threaten peace in the region. If North Korea moves forward with the launch, they could face consequences.

It's been reported that Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, has looked at a finished military spy satellite and approved its launch. However, it's not clear what type of satellite they plan to launch this time.

Even though North Korea has sent satellites into space before, experts aren't sure how good their satellites are. Some experts say they are too small and poorly made to transmit images.

This whole situation has created more tension between North Korea and other countries.

Comprehension Questions:

Speaking and Writing Activities:

-- Discuss these questions with a partner or a small group.

- Choose one topic and write a response to it. Show your writing to a classmate or teacher.

1. How much do you know about the history of South Korea and North Korea?

2. If you could travel to Japan, South Korea, or North Korea, which one would you choose, and why?

3. Do you think that all countries should have the right to launch satellites? Why or why not?

More Reading Practice:

Why are there two Koreas?

In 1945, the whole Korean Peninsula (the large land area where both countries are now) was split into two parts after World War II. The north part became North Korea and the south part became South Korea. The two countries were supported by different larger countries – North Korea was backed by the Soviet Union (which is now Russia) and China, and South Korea was supported by the United States.

In 1950, a very big and violent disagreement, called the Korean War, started because each side wanted the other to join them and become one country again. But they couldn't agree on how to do it, which led to a lot of fighting. The war ended in 1953, but the two countries didn't sign a peace agreement, only an armistice. An armistice is like a timeout in a game – it's a pause in fighting, but it doesn't mean that the game is over.

Even today, North and South Korea are technically still in that timeout phase. This means they aren't fighting, but they aren't really at peace, either. They still don't agree on many things, and they have different types of governments, ways of life, and beliefs. North Korea is very secretive and closed off, and its government controls everything. South Korea, on the other hand, is democratic, where people can vote and have more freedoms.

Why do other countries think North Korea is dangerous?

North Korea is often seen as dangerous by other countries for several reasons. One of the main reasons is its development and testing of nuclear weapons. A nuclear weapon is an extremely powerful bomb that can cause a large amount of damage and loss of life. North Korea has tested these weapons several times, despite many other countries and international organizations telling them not to.

The country's government, under the leadership of Kim Jong-un, also has very strict control over its people. The government does not allow its citizens to freely express their opinions or to have access to information from the rest of the world. This lack of freedom and control over information can make it difficult for other countries to understand North Korea's actions or intentions.

Another reason is that North Korea often makes threats towards other countries, especially South Korea and the United States. These threats, combined with their nuclear weapons, can make the situation very tense.

Finally, the fact that North Korea is very secretive adds to its perceived danger. The government does not share much information with the rest of the world, which makes it difficult for other countries to know what they are planning or capable of.

What are satellites used for?

Satellites are machines that people have sent up into space to orbit, or go around, the Earth.

One of the main jobs for many satellites is to help with communication. If you've ever made a phone call to someone far away, watched TV, or used the internet, it's likely that a satellite helped make that possible. They receive signals from one place on Earth and then send them to another place. It's like they're catching and throwing information all around the world.

Weather forecasting is another important task for satellites. They give us pictures and data about clouds, oceans, and land. Meteorologists, or weather scientists, use this information to predict what the weather will be like. If you've ever seen a weather report on TV, the images you saw were probably sent from a satellite.

Satellites also help us learn more about our planet and the universe. They can take pictures of Earth, showing changes in forests, ice caps, and city growth. Some satellites even look further into space, capturing images of stars, galaxies, and other celestial bodies.

Lastly, some satellites help with navigation. Have you ever used a GPS to find your way? That's possible because of satellites! They send signals to your GPS device to help it figure out where you are and how to get where you're going.

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