State media photos showed North Korea’s Kim personally inspecting the satellite launch and later reviewing images of US military bases in Guam that were reportedly sent by the country’s new eye in the sky .
Pyongyang’s Defense Ministry reiterated Thursday that the satellite launch was part of its “right to self-defense” and rejected the “extremely hysterical” reaction, especially from the South.
The ministry further said, “South Korea will have to pay a heavy price for its irresponsible and serious political and military provocations, which have pushed the current situation into an uncontrollable stage.”
KCNA said the satellite will begin formal reconnaissance missions on December 1.
Experts say successfully placing a spy satellite in orbit would improve North Korea’s ability to gather intelligence, especially on South Korea, and provide vital data in any military conflict.
The launch also appears to mark the beginning of a space race on the peninsula, with Seoul planning to launch its first spy satellite via a SpaceX rocket later this month, experts said.