Satellite

Iran, which has hinted about the launch for months, sees this as a major achievement.

Iran, which has one of the biggest missile programs in the Middle East, has suffered several failed satellite launches in recent years due to technical issues.

When asked by reporters if Russia would help Kim build satellites, Putin replied: "That's why we came here."

Pyongyang has said it needs a military reconnaissance satellite to boost monitoring of US military activities.

Reports cite the satellite images which show the airstrip stretching across Triton Island, however, the runway itself is reportedly much shorter than others China has built on contested islands.

The object was likely part of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle that was launched on April 22, 2023 by the Indian Space Research Organization.

The satellite is already performing its own initial checks to make sure it is functioning properly and simultaneously sending initial images.

Astroscale’s ELSA-M spacecraft will tackle space debris by capturing and deorbiting decommissioned satellites, aiming to clean Earth's crowded orbit.

North Korea also vowed it will continue to develop its nuclear capability and strengthen solidarity with other countries that oppose what it called the "US strategy for world supremacy."

South Korea found debris off its west coast soon after the launch, and began a salvage operation in the hopes of studying the new rocket.