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North Korea is planning to make a second attempt at launching a spy satellite into orbit, along with conducting tests of long-range missiles. The country intends to carry out these actions to coincide with a key national anniversary and protest against the United States’ efforts to strengthen its regional alliances. South Korea’s intelligence service provided this information to lawmakers in a closed-door meeting.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is expected to respond to upcoming major U.S.-South Korean military drills and a trilateral US-South Korea-Japan summit. The National Intelligence Service revealed that North Korea might attempt the satellite launch in late August or early September, in preparation for the country’s 75th anniversary on September 9th.

According to the lawmakers who attended the briefing, North Korea has been conducting tests on the rocket engine intended for the satellite launch. They have also installed an additional land antenna to receive satellite data. Kim has previously stated his intention to develop advanced weapons systems, including a military reconnaissance satellite.

North Korea made a previous satellite launch attempt in May, but the rocket crashed into the ocean shortly after liftoff. South Korea’s military determined that the satellite’s debris indicated it lacked the capability for military reconnaissance.

The National Intelligence Service also reported observing increased activity at a North Korean facility involved in producing solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missiles. They have also noticed activities at another site related to liquid-fueled ICBMs. These preparations are seen as a form of protest against the Camp David summit and the upcoming U.S.-South Korean military drills.

North Korea closely monitors U.S. efforts to strengthen its alliances with South Korea and Japan. In response to the expanding U.S.-South Korean exercises, North Korea has conducted over 100 missile tests since the beginning of 2022. While it has demonstrated the potential range of its ICBMs to reach the U.S. mainland, there are still technological challenges to be overcome. Its shorter-range missiles pose a threat to South Korea and Japan.

The country possesses four types of ICBMs, with three using liquid fuels and one employing solid fuel. Solid-fueled missiles are more mobile and can be launched quickly, making them harder to detect beforehand.

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