S. Korean military detects suspected signs of N.K. preparations for spy satellite launch

▲ This file photo, taken Nov. 22, 2023, shows a news report on North Korea's launch of a military spy satellite being aired on a television at Seoul Station in central Seoul. (Yonhap)

N Korea-spy satellite

S. Korean military detects suspected signs of N.K. preparations for spy satellite launch

SEOUL, May 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's military has detected suspected signs of North Korea making preparations to launch a military spy satellite, an official said Friday.

In December, Pyongyang vowed to launch three more spy satellites this year, a month after successfully placing its first one into orbit. South Korea's Defense Minister Shin Won-sik told reporters earlier this year that the North's Malligyong-1 spy satellite appears to be orbiting Earth without activity.

"As apparent signs of preparations for the launch of North Korea's purported military spy satellite have recently been detected in the Tongchang-ri area, South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are closely monitoring and tracking related activities," the Joint Chiefs of Staff official said.

North Korea's Sohae Satellite Launching Ground is located in Tongchang-ri in the northwestern province of North Pyongan.

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