N. Korea releases photos of spy satellite launch success

A new type of Chollima-1 rocket carrying a reconnaissance satellite called the Malligyong-1 lifts off from the launching pad at the Sohae satellite launch site in Tongchang-ri in northwestern North Korea, Nov. 21, in this photo provided by the North's official Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap

North Korea on Wednesday released photos of its leader Kim Jong-un celebrating with engineers and officials the successful launch of a spy satellite that was condemned as a violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions.

The Korean Central News Agency released photos of Kim and the Chollima-1 space rocket, hours after North Korea claimed to have successfully placed the reconnaissance satellite, Malligyong-1, into orbit on Tuesday night.

The photos showed Kim, in a jumper, observing the launch from a distance. In a group photo with engineers donning white uniforms and hats, Kim was seen holding up his right hand in an apparent celebration of the launch.

Kim's daughter, believed to be named Ju-ae, who had recently accompanied her father to key inspections, was not seen in the photos. Key officials, including Kim's influential sister, Yo-Jong, were also not photographed.

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Experts said the rocket seen in the photos appeared to be identical in design to that used in two failed launch attempts in May and August, respectively. Multiple lines of rocket plume were seen, an indication that the rocket was powered by several clustered engines.

The rocket was plastered with various logos and letters, including the words "National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA)," "reconnaissance satellite Malligyong-1" and "Chollima-1" in Korean.

The rocket also carried a logo with the English acronym "NATA," showing that North Korea's national aerospace agency has been elevated to the current status from the previous National Aerospace Development Administration.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un watches a new type of Chollima-1 rocket carrying a reconnaissance satellite called the Malligyong-1 being launched from the Sohae satellite launch site in Tongchang-ri in northwestern North Korea, Nov. 21, in this photo provided by the North's official Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap

Tuesday's launch came just hours before the beginning of a 10-day launch window that the North had given Japan earlier as a safety warning, saying it would launch a satellite-carrying a space rocket sometime between Wednesday and Dec. 1.

Despite the late-night launch, North Korea's main newspaper Rodong Sinmun published articles and photos of the purported success for the domestic audience on Wednesday.

With the North having vowed to develop high-tech weapons, such as a military spy satellite, the reclusive regime is expected to promote the launch to shore up unity ahead of a plenary meeting of the ruling Workers' Party later this year.

The North typically holds a year-end plenary meeting to review this year's accomplishments and discuss policy goals for the coming year.

Pyongyang has pledged to launch several more satellites "in a short span of time" to secure its reconnaissance capabilities against South Korea.

South Korea and the United States condemned the latest rocket launch as a violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions banning any test using ballistic missile technology. (Yonhap)

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