North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the country’s space agency on Tuesday to review preparations for a military reconnaissance satellite, framing the capability as necessary to defend against U.S.-ROK forces and approving plans for a launch.

The spy satellite is now ready to be loaded after a general assembly inspection and space environment test, the party-run Rodong Sinmun reported on Wednesday.

Kim’s latest visit to the National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) marked his first reported public appearance in almost a month. His last appearance came on April 18, when he also visited the space agency to inspect the “completed”