North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the country's space agency to make final preparations for launching its first reconnaissance satellite, the country's state media reported Wednesday.
During his visit to the National Aerospace Development Administration on Tuesday, Kim said the satellite's production was "completed" this month, according to the official Korean Central News Agency, but the launch schedule was not mentioned.
The leader has ordered the deployment of "several reconnaissance satellites" in the future.
"Possessing and operating military reconnaissance means is the most crucial primary task for increasing the military effectiveness" in the face of strengthening U.S.-South Korea ties, Kim was quoted by KCNA as saying.
The U.N. Security Council has attempted to bolster sanctions on North Korea as the country has stepped up missile testing since last year, amid growing concerns that its seventh nuclear test may be conducted anytime soon.
But given such efforts have been blocked by vetoes from China and Russia, approval is likely to be voted down again, even if a potential launch of the reconnaissance satellite increases calls for stronger sanctions.
Photos carried by state media showed Kim was accompanied by his daughter during the visit to the space agency.
In December last year, the country said it had conducted an "important final-stage test" for the satellite.
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