North Korea's latest test launch, according to newly leaked reports, was part of ongoing research for a "reconnaissance satellite," marking the second such test this year.

The country conducted its ninth missile test of the year on Saturday, claiming to have launched a ballistic missile that traveled around 270 kilometers and reached a maximum height of around 560 kilometers, according to South Korea.

“The DPRK National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) and the Academy of Defence Science conducted another important test on Saturday under the plan of developing a reconnaissance satellite,” said the Korean Central News Agency in a statement.

"The test allowed NADA the ability to confirm “the reliability of data transmission and reception system of the satellite, its control command system, and various ground-based control systems.”

The state-owned news agency did not provide any additional information.

Pyongyang's declaration came only one day after the country launched its ninth missile this year, this time aimed for the East Sea.

According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, the missile was launched from North Korea's Sunan area.

The projectile landed in the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, according to the South Korean military troops who reported it.

Moreover, Pyongyang test-fired a slew of weapons in January, including hypersonic and medium-range ballistic missiles, and last week, it launched another ballistic missile.

The eighth missile was launched on February 27, including a test-firing of its most powerful missile since high-profile talks between Kim Jong-Un and then-US President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019. Diplomacy between the US and the DPRK has been in decline since then.