North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has flaunted his country's possession of a military reconnaissance satellite and praised scientists and engineers for what the North calls a successful launch.

Pyongyang announced on Tuesday that it put a military reconnaissance satellite into orbit.

State-run Korean Central Television reported on Friday that Kim visited the National Aerospace Technology Administration with his daughter on the previous day. Kim held a photo session with scientists and engineers to celebrate the launch.

Kim, his wife Ri Sol Ju, and their daughter attended a dinner party at the facility on Thursday night. His sister Kim Yo Jong also attended. Attendees wore T-shirts with the space agency's logo.

The North Korean leader said the launch was an "eye-opening event" that deployed a guard in space to monitor military activities of hostile forces.

Kim justified the launch by saying the possession of a reconnaissance satellite is a "full-fledged exercise" of the right to self-defense against invasions by enemies.

United Nations Security Council resolutions ban Pyongyang from using ballistic missile technology.