Kim Jong Un heralds ‘new era of space power’ after spy satellite launch

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un heralded a “new era of space power” Thursday after his government reportedly launched a spy satellite earlier in the week.

North Korea reportedly launched the satellite, known as the Malligyong-1, Tuesday night, according to state-run news agency Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). According to the state-run Pyongyang Times, the North Korean leader held a celebration of the launch Thursday.

At the celebration, Kim said the launch has “had propelled the country into a new era of space power,” KCNA said, according to the BBC.

On Tuesday, the White House said “strongly condemns” the possible satellite launch. It also said that the launch violated United Nations (U.N.) Security Council resolutions prohibiting North Korea from using ballistic missile technology.

“The president and his national security team are assessing the situation in close coordination with our allies and partners,” the Biden administration said in a statement. “We urge all countries to condemn this launch and call on [North Korea] to come to the table for serious negotiations.”

The launch came after two failed attempts back in May and August. Kim also reportedly watched the launch himself.  

South Korea also suspended a no-fly zone agreement with its northern neighbor in the wake of the launch. The zone was near the demilitarized border between the two countries. 

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a call with South Korea’s and Japan’s foreign ministers on the North Korean launch Friday, according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

“They stressed the need for the international community, including all members of the UN Security Council, to come together to prevent [North Korea]’s procurement activities and stem the flow of revenue supporting its unlawful [weapons of mass destruction] and ballistic missile programs,” Miller’s statement read.

“The Secretary also reaffirmed the ironclad U.S. commitments to the defense of the [South Korea] and Japan.”