North Korea is Preparing to Launch a New Satellite: Report

North Korea is preparing to launch a new satellite, according to a South Korean newspaper.

“North Korea has recently manufactured a satellite and named it Kwangmanson-5,” the South Korean daily  JoongAng Ilbo quoted an unidentified South Korean official as saying.

“North Korea’s plan is to launch a satellite installed with camera and communication equipment,” the official said.

Many experts believe North Korea’s space program is only a cover for its ballistic program.

A ninth round of sanctions was passed last week by the UN Security Council to force Pyongyang to give up its banned nuclear and ballistic programs, as well as satellite launches.

South Korean intelligence agencies believe the satellite could be launched from a mobile launcher, and not from the usual launch site in Sohae.

In June this year, at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, the representative of the DPRK declared that the country would continue to explore outer space for peaceful purposes. At the same time, several countries, including the United States, South Korea and Japan, said these launches are a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

In October, North Korea’s deputy ambassador to the UN, Kim In-Ryong, said his country is following a four-year plan on the development of “satellites contributing to economic development” and the improvement of the living conditions of the population .”

He added that North Korea had “entered the practical development phase of its satellites” with the successful launch of Kwangmanson-4 in February 2016.

After years of successive failures, North Korea succeeded in December 2012 to place a satellite in orbit.  The ” Kwangmanson-3″ satellite was launched from the Sohae spaceport in 2012, and the success of the mission was confirmed by the Command of the US Air and Space Defense.

North Korea continues its space program, as its military is aware of the fact that a modern war is impossible without satellite support. From space, you can specify coordinates for the purposes of ballistic missiles, as well as monitor the movements of enemy forces.

Last year, North Korea sent its fourth spy satellite in orbit, which was again confirmed by the US.