Josh Smith

SEOUL (Reuters). – North Korea claimed it carried out “another important test” for its reconnaissance satellite systems. This was a day after the release of a report by regional military officials confirming the launch of a missile from North Korea for the second consecutive week.

Japan, South Korea, the United States and Japan condemned the North’s launch. They fear that it is planning to test weapons in the next few months. The North’s satellite launches are seen by them as a thinly disguised test of its ballistic missile technology, which is prohibited under United Nations Security Council resolutions.

North Korea’s National Aerospace Development Administration and Academy of Defence Science carried out the launch, KCNA reported.

The launch was second in a row to test satellite equipment and ninth this year.

“Through the testing, the NADA confirmed that the data transmission and reception system, as well as its control command system, and other ground-based control system, were reliable,” KCNA stated.

The launch was similar to the Feb. 27 test. KCNA has not provided any further details, however South Korean authorities said that it seemed like a ballistic missile from an area nearby Pyongyang’s international airport.

According to South Korea, the missile flew for 270 kilometers (170 miles), and reached an altitude of 560 km (335 miles).

Despite stalled talks on denuclearisation, North Korea launched a record number weapons in January. It has also suggested that it might resume testing its nuclear weapons and long-range intercontinental missiles (ICBMs), for the first time since 2017.

This test was conducted just days prior to the South Korean election. South Korean officials have been anticipating that North Korea will attempt to launch a spy satellite into orbit very soon.

Lee Jong-seok (the top foreign policy advisor for the ruling party candidate Lee Jaemyung) told Reuters, “Any satellite launch will bring serious repercussions as it’s the exact same technology used in launching an ICBM.”

South Korea also plans to build its own launch vehicle for space, which is not prohibited by the UNSC.

Yonhap news agency reported that it plans to test a solid fuel space projectile as part of its project to create military surveillance satellites for North Korea.