North Korea’s Latest Launch Was Part of ‘Important’ Spy Satellite Testings

On Saturday, North Korea conducted its ninth missile test this year in firing a ballistic missile that South Korea claims traveled about 270 kilometers (168 miles), with a maximum altitutde if around 560 kilometers (348 miles).

Newly surfaced reports have revealed that North Korea's latest test launch was part of ongoing development for a "reconnaissance satellite," marking the second such test this year.

“The DPRK National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) and the Academy of Defence Science conducted another important test on Saturday under the plan of developing a reconnaissance satellite,” said the Korean Central News Agency said in a statement representing the Democratic People’s Republic of China.

The test allowed NADA the ability to confirm “the reliability of data transmission and reception system of the satellite, its control command system and various ground-based control systems.”

No further details were provided by the state-owned news outlet.

Pyongyang's announcement comes a day after North Korea conducted its ninth missile launch this year—directing the projectile toward the East Sea.

The missile was launch from North Korea's Sunan area, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. The South Korean military forces who reported the launched viewed the projectile land in the sea between The Korean Peninsula and Japan.