Pyongyang, Feb 7 (IANS): North Korea marked the first anniversary of its space rocket launch on Tuesday and said it is ready to launch more satellites into space, a media report said.

Pyongyang's space rocket launch in February 2016 was condemned by the international community, which considered it to be a disguised test of long-range missiles, Efe news reported.

"We will launch more satellites at the time and in the place decided by the Workers' Party of Korea," an article in the Communist regime's official daily Rodong said.

Since the beginning of 2017, Pyongyang has threatened multiple times that it plans to conduct intercontinental ballistic missile tests to counter nuclear threat from the US.

In 2016, North Korea had claimed to have launched its satellite 'Kwangmyongsong-4', using a long-range rocket from its Sohae Space Centre, a month after it conducted its fourth nuclear test.

This lead to tougher sanctions from the UN.

South Korean Prime Minister and acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn said North Korea could be preparing for more provocations ahead of February 16, which marks the 75th birth anniversary of its late leader Kim Jong-il, Yonhap news agency said.

The celebration, known as the "Day of the Shining Star", pays homage to the current leader Kim Jong-un's father and is one of the most important public holidays in North Korea.