North Korea announces launch of second Earth observation satellite.

North Korean officials announced that the country is developing a more advanced Earth observation satellite, and that they will notify the international community before launching it.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects the satellite control center of the country's space agency at a secret location - Photo: KCNA

The announcement was made by Paek Chang Ho, deputy director of the Scientific Research and Development Department of the North Korean Space Agency, in an interview with AP and was released yesterday, June 4th.

"We are developing a more advanced Earth observation satellite, and when it's completed, before launch, we will inform international organizations and other countries," Paek said.

However, he did not provide details such as what the satellite would do, when its development began, or the expected launch date...

He also said that no country can restrict North Korea's "legitimate right" to pursue aerospace goals "for peaceful purposes," and that it will continue to launch satellites as needed, whether or not it is recognized.

North Korea's first and only satellite to date was launched in 2012. Press TV reported last May that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared they would launch more satellites into orbit despite international sanctions, urging the country's experts and technicians to do their utmost to "make (North Korea) a space power."

According to Washington, recent satellite imagery shows anomalies at North Korea's Sohae satellite launch center in North Pyongan province, leading them to believe the country is building an intercontinental ballistic missile launch pad, a claim Pyongyang has denied.

Additionally, there are rumors that North Korea may launch a missile this coming October to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the party.

In another development, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on June 4th, citing a spokesperson for the Strategic Forces of the Korean People's Army, that South Korea had test-fired a ballistic missile capable of reaching most areas of the North.

According to VNA, the statement accused South Korea of ​​"using weapons supplied by external forces to harm its compatriots," while emphasizing that the incident shows that North Korea's efforts to strengthen its national defense alongside economic development "are correct."

Earlier on June 3rd, the South Korean military test-fired a ballistic missile called the Hyunmoo-2B, with a range of over 500 km. The development of this medium-range ballistic missile followed revisions to the ballistic missile cooperation guidelines between South Korea and the United States in October 2012, which extended South Korea's missile range from 300 km to 800 km.

(According to TTO)