According to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the recent launch of a spy satellite was simply an exercise of the right to self-defense. As North Korean news agency KCNA reported, Kim visited the National Aeronautics and Space Administration today and said Tuesday’s satellite launch was an “eye-opening event given the dangerous and aggressive measures taken by enemy forces.”
North Korea held a reception on Thursday to celebrate the launch, where Prime Minister Kim Tok-hun said the satellite would make the North Korean military the best army in the world capable of attacking the entire world. As South Korean experts explained, the latest launch, after two failures, was probably made with Russian technology, as part of a growing partnership.
Russia and North Korea have denied arms deals but promised each other closer cooperation. South Korea said the North Korean satellite has likely been placed into orbit, but it will take some time to determine whether it is functioning normally.