North Korea will continue developing space technology despite international sanctions, the country's leader Kim Jong-un said when visiting a newly-built satellite command and control center earlier this week.

"Peaceful space development is an option taken by our Party and people and a legitimate right of [this country]," Kim said while touring the center of the National Aerospace Development Administration.

"The status of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea as a satellite producer-launcher remains unchanged though the hostile forces deny it and its space development can never be abandoned, no matter who may oppose," South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted Kim as saying.

North Korea will continue its efforts to emerge as "a space power", Kim Jong-un said, stressing the need to "provide more cutting-edge facilities for the center, build a base in which satellite test can be done in the same circumstances with outer space and erect something symbolic of the center."

The new center is equipped with advanced technology and will provide a springboard for the launch of various new satellites, the Korean Central News Agency reported.

In 2012 North Korea launched a satellite into orbit after a number of botched attempts.

Source: Sputnik News