South Korea launches second military spy satellite

In this photo provided by the South Korea Defence Ministry, the country’s second military spy satellite lifts off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida (South Korea Defence Ministry/AP)

South Korea has successfully launched its second military spy satellite into orbit, days after North Korea reaffirmed its plan to launch multiple reconnaissance satellites this year.

The neighbouring countries each launched their first spy satellites last year – North Korea in November and South Korea in December — amid heightened animosities.