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N Korea claims 'space programme' North Korea fuels missile rumours
(about 3 hours later)
North Korea has asserted its right to a "space programme", amid speculation that it plans to launch a missile test. North Korea has asserted its right to "space development", amid speculation that it plans to launch a missile test.
"One will come to know later what will be launched," the official news agency, KCNA, reported. In state media, it accused countries of trying to block its "peaceful research" and said: "One will come to know later what will be launched."
Analysts said the term "space programme" had been used in the past for a rocket launch. Experts say "space development" has been used before for a rocket launch.
North Korea denied it was seeking attention, as Hillary Clinton begins a visit to the region as US President Barack Obama's secretary of state.North Korea denied it was seeking attention, as Hillary Clinton begins a visit to the region as US President Barack Obama's secretary of state.
The speculation that North Korea was preparing to test a long-range missile has persisted for two weeks, following surveillance reports of long objects being moved toward the coast, and of Chinese shipping vacating the area. Speculation that North Korea is preparing to test a long-range missile has persisted for two weeks, following surveillance reports of long objects being moved towards the coast and of Chinese ships vacating the area.
Kim birthdayKim birthday
The latest comments from the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) coincided with official birthday celebrations for Mr Kim, now 67, who is thought to have suffered a debilitating stroke last August. The latest comments from the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) coincided with official birthday celebrations for Mr Kim, who is thought to have suffered a debilitating stroke last August.
Mr Kim's apparent ill-health has sparked deepening concerns about succession in the reclusive, nuclear state. Mr Kim's apparent ill-health has sparked deepening concerns about succession in the reclusive nuclear state.There is growing concern about the health of Kim Jong-il
On his 67th birthday, state media hailed Mr Kim as a "heaven-made commander and an affectionate father who safeguards and illuminates the fate of our nation".
His return to active politics, confirmed by a visiting Chinese diplomat in January, has been accompanied by heightened North Korean bellicosity, analysts said.His return to active politics, confirmed by a visiting Chinese diplomat in January, has been accompanied by heightened North Korean bellicosity, analysts said.
Reports citing intelligence from satellite photos have said preparations at the Musudan-ri launch site on the northeast coast are well advanced. Reports citing intelligence from satellite photos have said preparations at the Musudan-ri launch site on the north-east coast are well advanced.
'Hostile forces' But KCNA said rumours of a planned test launch of the long-range Taepodong-2 missile came from "hostile forces".
Rumours of a planned launch of its longest-range Taepodong-2 missile come from "hostile forces", KCNA said. "This is a vicious trick to put a brake on the wheel of not only the DPRK's [North Korea's] building of military capability for self-defence but also scientific researches for peaceful purpose," it said.
"This is a vicious trick to put a brake on the wheel of not only the DPRK's [North Korea's] building of military capability for self-defence but also scientific researches for peaceful purpose," it said. RECENT TENSIONS Dec 07: Lee Myung-bak wins South Korean presidential election. Vows tougher line on the NorthMarch 08: North expels S Koreans from joint industrial park after Seoul says it will link its aid more closely to the nuclear disarmament issueApril 08: N Korean media warns President Lee his tough stance could have "catastrophic consequences"July 08: Pyongyang rejects President Lee's offer of direct talksOct 08: Military officials from both sides hold first direct talks since President Lee took officeNov 08: N Korea says it will close land borders, suspend tourism trips and the joint train service because of "relentless confrontation" from SeoulDec 08: N Korea enforces stricter border controls and expels hundreds of South Koreans from the joint industrial zoneJan 09: The North says it is scrapping all military and political pacts signed with the South "Space development is the independent right of the DPRK."
"Space development is the independent right of the DPRK. "The DPRK has no need to draw anyone's attention and wants nobody to interfere or meddle in the issue of the Korean peninsula where only the Koreans live."
"The DPRK has no need to draw anyone's attention and wants nobody to interfere or meddle in the issue of the Korean peninsula where only the Koreans live," said KCNA.
Nuclear disarmament talks involving the United States, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea and North Korea are currently stalled.Nuclear disarmament talks involving the United States, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea and North Korea are currently stalled.
Relations between North and South Korea are at a new low after the North scrapped several peace agreements and the South appointed a hardline unification minister. Relations between North and South Korea are at a new low after the North scrapped several peace agreements and the South appointed a hard-line unification minister.
Hillary Clinton, who this week makes her first Asian tour as US secretary of state, last week urged the communist state to avoid provocation and stop "unhelpful rhetoric" towards South Korea. Hillary Clinton, who this week makes her first Asian tour as US secretary of state, urged the communist state to avoid provocation and stop "unhelpful rhetoric" towards South Korea.