North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered officials to make preparations to launch its first military reconnaissance satellite as planned.

The North's state-run Korean Central News Agency(KCNA) said on Wednesday that Kim issued the order the previous day during an on-site inspection of the country's space development agency.

In the inspection, the regime leader instructed officials to set up an ad hoc satellite launch preparation committee to ensure that the country's first military spy satellite will be launched on schedule.

He also ordered the development and deployment of a series of spy satellites to boost the country's reconnaissance capabilities.

Kim stressed the reconnaissance satellites as a priority in the face of security conditions on the Korean Peninsula, criticizing the massive deployment of strategic assets by the U.S. to the peninsula and the region.

In December, North Korea said that it conducted an important, final-stage test for the development of its first spy satellite, adding that preparations will be completed for the launch of the satellite by April this year.

[Photo : YONHAP News]