North Korea Launches Military Reconnaissance Satellite

According to North Korea's state news agency, the rocket was launched Tuesday from the Sohae Cosmodrome. The flight lasted 705 seconds, with the Chollima-1 carrier rocket following its set course, which "accurately put the reconnaissance satellite ‘Malligyong-1’" into orbit.

Notably, the launch was attended by DPRK leader Kim Jong Un, who later congratulated all the specialists involved in the meticulous preparation and the blastoff.

A day prior to the event, Japan's Coast Guard reported that Pyongyang had informed Tokyo of plans to conduct a satellite launch in the coming days.

Have a glance at the photos illustrating the launch of the Malligyong-1 reconnaissance satellite set on the Chollima-1 carrier rocket from the Sohae Cosmodrome in Sputnik's gallery:

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un congratulates all the specialists involved in the preparation and launch process.

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The General Bureau of Aerospace Engineering of the DPRK successfully launched the Malligyong-1 reconnaissance satellite using a new type of Chollima-1 carrier rocket from Sohae Space Center in Cholsan County, North Pyongan Province.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches the satellite-carrying Chollima-1 rocket blast off.

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Preparations for the launch of the Chollima-1 rocket.

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The Chollima-1 rocket situated on the launch pad at the Sohae Cosmodrome.

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Kim Jong Un watches the successful blastoff of the Chollima-1 rocket.

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The North Korean leader at the Sohae Space Center being photographed with specialists who worked on the launch.

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Preparations for the launch of the Chollima-1 rocket.

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