A South Korean lawmaker said the nation's spy agency informed a committee Wednesday that North Korea is presumed to be in the final stage of preparation for another military spy satellite launch.
North Korea unsuccessfully launched rockets carrying satellites in May and in August. Soon after second failed one, state-run media reported that a third attempt would be made in October.
The National Intelligence Service also told the South Korean parliamentary intelligence committee that since early August, North Korea appears to have sent over a million artillery rounds and other weapons in around 10 shipments to Russia amid its war on Ukraine, according to Yoo Sang Bum, the lawmaker.
Regarding the next satellite launch attempt, Yoo, citing the NIS, said while it has been pushed back, North Korea seems to have held tests on its rocket engine and launcher, indicating that final preparations are underway.
The briefing by the NIS came a day after a report that vehicles and personnel for fuel delivery were detected at a site presumed to be a large fuel storage facility at the Sohae satellite launch site in Tongchang-ri in northwestern North Korea.
The spy agency said North Korea is believed to have received technical advice from Russia, which would increase the chances of a successful launch, according to Yoo.
Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears to have issued an instruction to find ways to support the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which is at war with Israel after launching a surprise attack on it on Oct. 7, Yoo said, citing the agency.
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