TOKYO, November 21. /TASS/. North Korea plans to launch several more reconnaissance satellites in the near future, the Korean Central News Agency said.

The report came out after the country put into orbit the Malligyong-1 spy satellite earlier on Tuesday. According to KCNA, "the launch of several additional reconnaissance satellites in the near future" will improve the ability to obtain intelligence in the regions adjacent to the DPRK, primarily in the area of South Korea.

Additionally, the report said the launch of the reconnaissance satellite was within "the DPRK's legitimate right to bolster its self-defense capabilities." It will "significantly contribute to improving the combat readiness of the republic's armed forces" at a time when the DPRK's adversaries in the region are "conducting dangerous military maneuvers," the agency reported.

The DPRK’s two prior attempts at launching a reconnaissance satellite, in May and August, were unsuccessful.