North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said preparations for the planned launch of the country’s first spy satellite should proceed to counter perceived threats from the United States and South Korea, state media reported on Wednesday.
In 2012 and 2016, North Korea tested ballistic missiles that Pyongyang called satellite launches.
Both missiles flew over the Okinawa region.
Japanese media reported Saturday that the defence ministry issued the same preparation orders in 2012.
Pyongyang has not provided a launch date, with leader Kim Jong Un only saying the satellite will be sent up “at the planned date”.
On Tuesday, G7 foreign ministers meeting in Japan demanded North Korea refrain from any further ballistic missile tests following a spate of launches this year.
The group of rich nations also warned Pyongyang against carrying out an expected nuclear weapons test and said there would be a “robust” response if it did not comply.
A week ago, Pyongyang said it had successfully tested a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, hailing it as a breakthrough for the country’s nuclear counterattack capabilities.
Source: CNA
