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S. Korean and Japanese media are reporting that N. Korea is preparing a new satellite launch. The report comes just days after the North's ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun reasserted the regime's right to launch satellites and develop its space technology. In a commentary published on Monday and titled "Peaceful Space Programmes are Sovereign Countries' Legitimate Rights", the daily said Pyongyang's satellite launches "absolutely correspond" with international laws concerning space development.
Most western intelligence services view such launches as a continuation of development activities for N. Korea's ballistic missile and weapons programs.
At present, no formal Notices to Mariners have been issued by N. Korea concerning the upcoming launch, as has been their previous practice with such launch attempts.
According to the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), N. Korea's last satellite launch was February 7, 2016. The launch took place as the United Nations Security Council was deciding on sanctions to be placed on the country following a January 6, 2016 nuclear weapons test detonation. The launch was also timed to celebrate the 74th birthday of the late leader Kim Jong-il on February 16. The launch occurred at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station in western N. Korea close to the northern border with China. Sohae Locationhttp://bit.ly/SohaeThe launch successfully inserted the Kwangmyongsong-4 (Bright Star-4, KMS-4) into a rough sun-synchronous orbit to provide any onboard imaging sensors extended sun illumination of the Earth through inclination and altitude. http://bit.ly/KMS-4 | 
