Kim says North Korea’s first spy satellite is ready for launch

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country has built its first military spy satellite and he planned to launch it on an undisclosed date.

Previous missile tests have demonstrated North Korea can send satellites into space, but experts question whether it has cameras sophisticated enough to use for spying from a satellite because only low-resolution images were released after past test launches.

During his visit to the country’s aerospace agency Tuesday, Kim said having an operational military satellite is crucial for North Korea to effectively use its nuclear-capable missiles. Kim cited what he described as serious security threats posed by “the most hostile rhetoric and explicit action” by the United States and South Korea this year. He likely hopes to pressure his rivals on issues including international economic sanctions on North Korea.

Kim said “the military reconnaissance satellite No. 1” had already been built and ordered officials to speed up preparations for its launch. He said North Korea must launch several satellites to establish an intelligence-gathering capability, KCNA said.

North Korea said its weapons tests, including its first test-launch of a solidfueled intercontinental ballistic missile designed to strike the U.S. mainland last week, are a response to joint military exercises between the United States and its regional allies. North Korea has carried out about 100 missile tests since the start of last year, including about 30 this year.