North Korea confirmed that it has conducted trials of the final stage of development of a spy satellite which is scheduled for completion in April 2023 on Monday (19/12).
North Korea's National Space Development Administration (NADA) said the test was carried out at the Sohae satellite launch station in Tongchang-ri and was part of final-stage tests to review the country's ground control system satellite imaging, data transmission and control capabilities.
KCNA also said the vehicle carrying the satellite will also carry cameras, transmitters, image receivers, control devices and batteries - reaching an altitude of 500 kilometers (311 miles) when fired from a high angle.
"We confirmed important technical indicators such as camera operation technology in space environment, data processing and transmission capability of communication devices, and ground tracking and control systems," the spokesman told North Korea's state media KCNA, as quoted by Reuters on Monday (19/12) ).
He also said that the final stage of launching the reconnaissance satellite would be completed in April.
In the report, KCNA also released low-resolution black and white images of the South Korean capital, Seoul, and Incheon. The picture was taken on Sunday (18/12).
The report was released a day after Pyongyang fired two ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Sunday.
The Japanese Defense Minister said the North Korean missile flew at an altitude of 550 km and traveled 250 km. Japanese Deputy Defense Minister Toshiro Ino said the ballistic missile may have landed outside Japan's exclusive zone (EEZ).
North Korea has been continuously testing missiles in countless numbers over the past year.
One of the launches was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The missile is claimed to be capable of reaching the mainland United States.
On Thursday (15/12), North Korea also tested a solid-fuel engine that has high thrust. Experts predict the machine is capable of launching faster and more massive ballistic missiles.
North Korea's ambition to develop ballistic missile and nuclear technology has also made neighboring countries such as Japan and Pyongyang's sworn enemy, South Korea, worried.
Later, the United States also plans to impose additional sanctions on North Korea for its increasingly ambitious ballistic missile development.