North Korea launches its first spy satellite into orbit, possibly aided by Russia

On Tuesday, North Korea's state news agency, KCNA, announced the successful deployment of the nation's first-ever spy satellite into orbit. This move attracted strong opposition from the United States authorities who vehemently criticized the space rocket's launch.

According to KCNA, the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, observed the satellite's launch. The agency also emphasized North Korea's ambitious future plans to launch more satellites into orbit.

South Korean and Japanese officials were the first to acknowledge the rocket launch. However, according to Reuters, they have been unable to validate whether the satellite successfully entered orbit. North Korea's two preceding attempts at satellite positioning in May and August were unsuccessful.

The United States decried North Korea's use of ballistic technology in launching the space rocket. The White House deemed the launch as a blatant disregard for numerous UN Security Council resolutions and warned that it could destabilize the regional security situation and escalate tensions.

As Reuters notes, this recent attempt is the first since Kim Jong Un's September meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, where Putin pledged to assist Kim with satellite construction.

South Korean officials believe that the recent launch was likely facilitated with technical aid from Moscow. This launch symbolizes the strengthening partnership between the two nations, where North Korea is purportedly set to send Russia millions of artillery projectiles.

Based on reports from North Korea as showcased on Space.com, the country plans to launch more surveillance satellites into orbit. These satellites will be utilized to monitor South Korea. The publication also mentions that South Korea is likely to position its first spy satellite into orbit this month using the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, deployed from the Vandenberg Space Force Base.