On Tuesday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observes the launch of a rocket carrying the reconnaissance satellite Malligyong-1. Photo: VCG

The Chollima-1 rocket blasts off Tuesday. Photo: VCG

Kim celebrates the successful launch with workers. Photo: VCG

On Wednesday, people watch news about North Korea’s satellite launch at a train station in Seoul, South Korea. Photo: VCG

In an emergency cabinet meeting Wednesday, South Korea responds to the launch by deciding to suspend parts of a 2018 inter-Korean agreement meant to lower military tensions. Photo: VCG

On Tuesday, in Okinawa, Japan, residents receive a government alert warning of “North Korea launching missiles.” Photo: VCG

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemns the launch in a speech on Wednesday. Photo: VCG

On Jan. 12, 2021, during the 8th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, it was proposed that the independent development and use of military reconnaissance satellites be set as a goal for the next five years. Photo: VCG

On May 31 this year, Chollima-1 makes its first attempt to carry the Malligyong-1 into orbit. Photo: VCG