North Korea recently joined an international organization that overseas safety and security satellite communications services for mariners.

The country became the 98th nation to join the International Maritime Satellite Organization (IMSO) when it acceded on October 15, according to a statement from the organization.

The IMSO is charged with overseeing public safety and security services on the Inmarsat series of satellites. Inmarsat operates a global network of satellites primarily aimed at the world’s oceans, which are areas where traditional satellite services don’t have great coverage.

Among the services under the remit of the IMSO is that of the Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) More >