Seoul, 6 November 2023 (dpa/MIA) - South Korea's military plans to launch its first reconnaissance satellite into orbit at the end of this month to monitor its isolated neighbour, North Korea.

The Falcon-9 rocket from the private space company SpaceX is set to launch the satellite from Vandenberg military base in the US state of California, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence announced in Seoul on Monday. The scheduled date for the launch is November 30.

The launch is part of a project to develop its own reconnaissance satellites to observe strategic targets in North Korea and respond better to potential threats, the ministry said.

South Korea heavily relies on data from its ally, the United States, for military surveillance from space.

South Korea plans to launch four more espionage satellites into orbit over the next two years.

Both countries perceive North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile program as a threat.

North Korea also intends to deploy its own satellites for military purposes into orbit.

South Korea's military believes that Pyongyang is currently preparing for a third attempt to launch a reconnaissance satellite. Two earlier attempts this year failed and experts believe that a scheduled launch for October did not proceed for technical reasons.

South Korea is concerned that North Korea might receive support from Russia for the next launch in exchange for ammunition and weapons deliveries.

South Korean media reported last week that military and intelligence agencies suspect that Russia may have received up to one million artillery shells and other military equipment for its offensive against Ukraine since early August.

This information is based on observations of container shipments by sea between the North Korean port of Rajin and Russian ports.

Photo: MIA archive