North Korea claims it launched first spy satellite, promises more

A TV screen displays a warning message called "J-alert" after the Japanese government issued an emergency warning for residents of the southern prefecture of Okinawa, saying a missile had been launched from North Korea and that residents of Okinawa prefecture should take cover indoors, in Tokyo, Japan November 21, 2023. REUTERS/Issei Kato

SEOUL/TOKYO (Reuters) -North Korea said it successfully placed its first spy satellite in orbit on Tuesday and vowed to launch more in the near future, defying international condemnation from the United States and its allies.

Officials in South Korea and Japan, which first reported the launch, said they could not immediately verify whether a satellite was placed in orbit. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said the U.S. military was still assessing whether the launch was a success or not.