North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed a completed military spy satellite that his country is slated to launch shortly during a visit to its aerospace agency, where he hailed space-based reconnaissance as critical for confronting the US and South Korea.
Kim authorized an undisclosed "future action plan" during his visit on Tuesday, according to North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on Wednesday. North Korea has not specified a target date for the launch, which some analysts believe will occur within the next few weeks.
Although prior missile and rocket tests have proved North Korea's capacity to transport a satellite into orbit, this launch would utilise long-range missile technology prohibited by previous UN Security Council resolutions.
According to KCNA, the satellite was deemed ready to be loaded into a rocket after specialists reviewed its assembly and put it through tests to ensure that it would resist the atmosphere of space.
Kim made his first public appearance in over a month, having previously visited the aerospace complex on April 18 to herald the satellite's completion.
Kim authorized an undisclosed "future action plan" during his visit on Tuesday, according to North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on Wednesday. North Korea has not specified a target date for the launch, which some analysts believe will occur within the next few weeks.
Although prior missile and rocket tests have proved North Korea's capacity to transport a satellite into orbit, this launch would utilise long-range missile technology prohibited by previous UN Security Council resolutions.
According to KCNA, the satellite was deemed ready to be loaded into a rocket after specialists reviewed its assembly and put it through tests to ensure that it would resist the atmosphere of space.
Kim made his first public appearance in over a month, having previously visited the aerospace complex on April 18 to herald the satellite's completion.