Following North Korea's claim that Sunday’s test was part of the development of a reconnaissance satellite, South Korea has urged the North to maintain its moratorium on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile(ICBM) tests.

In a Monday briefing, unification ministry spokesperson Lee Jong-joo said Pyongyang must respect the moratorium it promised the international community and swiftly take the path of dialogue and cooperation.

On whether the ministry sees the North's announcement as a step toward reneging on the moratorium, Lee urged the regime to stop actions that reverse the progress of peace on the Korean Peninsula and around the world, making a specific reference to missile tests.

The spokesperson added that Seoul will assess the implications of the latest launch through thorough analysis to prepare for all possibilities and pay close attention to the claim that the test was part of a reconnaissance satellite development program.

South Korea views the launch as a ballistic missile test. Reconnaissance satellites sent into space on long-range rockets employ nearly identical technology to an ICBM, leading to speculation that Sunday's test could be a prelude to the end of the North’s moratorium on ICBM tests.