Explainer-What we know about North Korea's new satellite and claims of Russian aid

A rocket carrying a spy satellite Malligyong-1 is prepared to be launched, as North Korean government claims, in a location given as North Gyeongsang Province, North Korea in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on November 21, 2023. KCNA via REUTERS

SEOUL (Reuters) - Officials and experts around the world are seeking to independently verify North Korea's claim this week that it successfully launched its first spy satellite, an effort that South Korea asserts likely included Russian aid.

With the late-night launch on Tuesday, North Korea appears to have overcome the technical problems that sent two previous attempts with its new Chollima-1 rocket plunging into the sea.