SEOUL, November 20. /TASS/. The South Korean Join Chiefs of Staff demanded that North Korea immediately stops the preparation for the launch of a reconnaissance satellite, Yonhap reported.

"We issue a strict warning: to immediately stop the ongoing preparation for a launch of a military reconnaissance satellite. If North Korea proceeds with the launch despite our warning, our Armed Forces will take necessary measures to ensure the safety of the people," the statement reads.

Earlier, South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-Sik said that North Korea may launch its first reconnaissance satellite within one week or before the end of November in order to get ahead of South Korea. The first South Korean military satellite will be launched via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the US Vandenberg airbase.

North Korea made two unsuccessful attempts to launch its first reconnaissance satellite in May and in August; Pyongyang announced another attempt to be made in October, but that did not happen.