South Korean intelligence service officials have told lawmakers that North Korea may make progress in developing solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles this year.

South Korea's National Intelligence Service under the defense ministry made the comment at a closed-door briefing to the parliamentary intelligence committee on Wednesday, according to an attendee.

Solid-fuel ballistic missiles can be ready for launch faster than liquid-fuel ones. North Korea announced in December that it successfully conducted a combustion test of what it called a high-thrust solid-fuel motor.

At the briefing, the intelligence officials also told about North Korea's development of a military reconnaissance satellite included in its five-year national defense plan. The North said it will finish preparations for the satellite by April. The officials say a launch is very likely.