Kim Jong Un‘s North Koreaconfirmed on Monday it conducted a “major final stage test” on Sunday for the development of a spy satellite – expected to be completed by April 2023 – amid tensions with Washington and allies.

What happened: North Korea’s National Administration for Aerospace Developmentor NADA, conducted the test to verify its satellite imaging, data transmission and ground control systems capability, reported KCNAWatch, the isolated nation’s state media.

State media also released two low-resolution black-and-white images Seoul and the nearby port city of Incheon, which were said to have been taken during the test launch.

See also: Xi Jinping Has Ability To Influence Kim Jong Un Over Stopping Nuclear Tests: South Korea’s President

This announcement comes a day later US allies Japan and South Korea said Pyongyang two medium-range ballistic missiles fired at the east coast.

“We have confirmed important technical indicators such as the camera operation technique in the space environment, data processing and transmission capability of the communication devices, location and control accuracy of the ground control system,” said a NADA spokesman.

The spokesman called the test a “final gateway process to launch a reconnaissance satellite.”

Kim’s country on Friday tested a high-thrust solid rocket motor that would allow it to launch ballistic missiles faster and more reliably in the event of an opponent.

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