North Korea's claimed test of 'reconnaissance satellite' seen as ballistic missile launch

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks during a ruling party meeting in Pyongyang, Feb. 26, in this photo provided by the North Korean government. AP-Yonhap

North Korea claimed Monday to have carried out an "important test" for developing a "reconnaissance satellite" despite South Korea's characterization of it as a ballistic missile launch.

Sunday's test came amid concerns the North could fire a long-range rocket under the disguise of a satellite launch or conduct other provocative acts following its veiled threat last month to suspend its voluntary moratorium on nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests.

"The DPRK National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) and the Academy of Defence Science conducted an important test Sunday under the plan of developing a reconnaissance satellite," the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The test helped confirm the "characteristics and working accuracy of high definition photographing system, data transmission system and attitude control devices," the KCNA added.

South Korea's military has said the North fired a ballistic missile toward the East Sea, Sunday morning, in its eighth show of such force this year.

Launched from around the Sunan area in Pyongyang, the missile flew about 300 kilometers at a maximum altitude of 620 km, according to the military.

The development of a reconnaissance satellite is among the key defense projects that the North unveiled during its major congress of the ruling Workers' Party in January last year.

Some observers viewed Sunday's test as an ominous prelude to preparations for a long-range rocket test.

In the past, the North claimed to have conducted satellite launches, which outsiders criticized as long-range rocket tests under the guise of a "peaceful" space development project.

Concerns about the North's possible ICBM test have lingered since it made the veiled threat last month to suspend its self-imposed moratorium on strategic weapons tests declared in April 2018 amid diplomacy with the United States.

North Korea watchers said that the North could engage in a provocative act to mark the 110th anniversary of the birth of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's late grandfather Kim Il-sung, April 15.

The latest launch, the first in just under a month, came 10 days ahead of South Korea's presidential election and amid the armed conflict in Ukraine following Russia's invasion of the country last week. (Yonhap)