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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has celebrated the beginning of a “new era of a space power” for his country following the successful launch of its first military spy satellite, the Malligyong-1.

This event, described as a “full-fledged exercise of the right to self-defense” by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), saw Kim Jong Un personally reviewing images of US military bases in Guam. Kim Jong Un emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, “It’s an eye-opening event that will defend us against the dangerous and aggressive moves of hostile forces and marks the dawn of a new era of a space power.”

The launch, which violates United Nations sanctions aimed at curtailing North Korea’s ballistic missile program, has escalated tensions in the region. It has led to South Korea partially suspending the 2018 joint military agreement aimed at stabilizing cross-border relations, while North Korea has fully suspended its commitment to the pact.

In response to these developments, the foreign ministers of South Korea, Japan, and China are set to hold trilateral talks in Busan for the first time since 2019. These talks will address concerns over North Korea’s military progression and its strengthening ties with Russia, as well as the deepening security relationships between Tokyo, Seoul, and Washington.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed alarm over the “growing and dangerous” military ties between North Korea and Russia, urging Beijing to advocate restraint.

This week’s satellite launch was North Korea’s third attempt in six months to deploy a spy satellite, a key objective in Kim Jong Un’s military modernization plan, with previous attempts in May and August failing.