The rocket carrying the test satellite was launched on Sunday to test data transmission systems and the ability to take pictures, according to North Korea’s state news agency KCNA.
The news agency has published black-and-white images it claims show the South Korean capital Seoul from space. North Korea describes the attempt as successful and says that preparations for the country’s first military reconnaissance satellite should be completed by April next year.
What type of rocket or robot was launched has not been independently confirmed.
According to South Korea and Japan, North Korea fired two missiles into the sea east of the country on Sunday. One robot flew about 500 kilometers at a maximum altitude of 550 kilometers, according to Japan’s Ministry of Defense.
– This is a threat to peace and security, Japan’s Deputy Defense Minister Toshiro Ino said on Sunday.