Kim Jong-un was accompanied by his daughter on a visit to the military factory. Military Reconnaissance Satellite 1, as the rocket is called, is reportedly ready to launch, according to state media KCNA. The satellite’s primary purpose is to spy on US forces and their allies in Asia.
According to Kim Jong-un, such a spy satellite is of great importance, “because the US imperialists and their South Korean vassals are becoming more and more provocative against the DPRK,” according to KCNA.
Ban
Although the United Nations Security Council has banned North Korea from conducting ballistic missile tests, Pyongyang insists on its right to a civilian space program to launch satellites. The United States and its allies are hesitant to do so, as they suspect the technology will provide a stepping stone to ballistic missile development.
While no date has yet been set for a possible launch, the North Koreans may want to outrun South Korea. On May 24, the South Koreans will launch the Nuri space rocket, also intended to put satellites into orbit around the Earth.