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North Korea fuels missile rumours | North Korea fuels missile rumours |
(about 10 hours later) | |
North Korea has asserted its right to "space development", 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. |
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." | 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." |
Experts say "space development" has been used before 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. |
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. | 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 birthday | Kim birthday |
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. | 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. |
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Birthday celebrations for Kim Jong-il | |
Mr Kim's apparent ill-health has sparked deepening concerns about succession in the reclusive nuclear state. | |
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". | 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 north-east 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. |
But KCNA said rumours of a planned test launch of the long-range Taepodong-2 missile came from "hostile forces". | But KCNA said rumours of a planned test launch of the long-range Taepodong-2 missile came from "hostile forces". |
"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. |
"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." |
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 hard-line 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, 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. |