North Korea said it held an “important” test for a reconnaissance satellite over the weekend, in its first launch of a ballistic missile since late January.
Its official Korean Central News Agency said Monday the launch that took place a day earlier helped confirm the characteristics and working accuracy of a high-definition photographing system, data transmission system and attitude control devices. North Korea’s space program is seen as having a dual-use application for bolstering its ballistic missiles for the military.
South Korea’s military said its neighbor to the north fired what appeared to be a single ballistic missile at 7:52 a.m. on Sunday from an area near Pyongyang’s main airport toward waters off its east coast. It reached an apogee of about 385 miles (620 kilometers) and had a range of about 186 miles (300 kilometers.)
