Korean Peninsula's Satellite Race: South Launches Commercial Satellite, North Plans Spy Satellite

South Korea successfully launched a commercial-grade satellite for the first time, which will assist its efforts to develop a space-based surveillance system. Meanwhile, North Korea is pushing to place its first military spy satellite into orbit. The two Koreas, technically in a state of war, have no military reconnaissance satellites of their own and both are eager to possess them. The launch boosted South Korea’s hopes of catching up with Asian neighbors such as China, Japan and India in a regional space race.