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North Korea 'plans rocket launch' North Korea 'plans rocket launch'
(about 2 hours later)
North Korea has announced that it is preparing to launch a rocket carrying a communications satellite, but without giving an indication of a date. North Korea has announced that it is preparing to launch a rocket carrying a communications satellite.
It said the launch would mark a great step forward for the communist state. It did not give a date for the launch, but said it would mark a great step forward for the communist state.
Correspondents say the statement is Pyongyang's clearest reference yet to what neighbours believe may be the imminent test of a long-range missile.Correspondents say the statement is Pyongyang's clearest reference yet to what neighbours believe may be the imminent test of a long-range missile.
When it tested the short-range Taepodong-1 missile in 1998, it claimed to have put a satellite in orbit. When it tested the Taepodong-1 missile in 1998, it claimed to have put a satellite in orbit.
"Full-scale preparations are under way to launch a rocket Unha-2 to put communication satellite Kwangmyongsong-2 into orbit," said the national space committee in a statement carried on the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). In July 2006 it test-fired the three-stage long-range Taepodong-2, but the missile blew up shortly after launch.
"When this satellite is successfully launched, our space technology will make a great step forward toward becoming an economically strong country," it said. North Korea's move comes amid heightened tensions with South Korea, and with Pyongyang pushing for a top spot on the agenda of the new US administration.
The launch is planned from Hwadae in the northeast of the country, which is believed to be the site of North Korea's longest-range missile, Taepodong-2. Alaska reach
There are fears that the Taepodong-2 missile, with a theoretical range of 6,700 km (4,200 miles), could be used to target the US state of Alaska. The announcement came in a statement from the national space agency, carried by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2564241.stm">North Korea's missile programme
But when the Taepodong-2 was last tested in 2006, it exploded within a minute. "Full-scale preparations are under way to launch a rocket Unha-2 to put communication satellite Kwangmyongsong-2 into orbit," it said.
Nuclear disarmament talks involving the United States, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea and North Korea are currently stalled. "When this satellite is successfully launched, our space technology will make a great step forward toward becoming an economically strong country."
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. The launch is planned from a base in Hwadae in the northeast of the country, the statement said.
On a trip to Asia last week, the new US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton warned North Korea against any rash moves. Satellite images showed activity at the site, but there was no missile on the launch pad, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported, citing an intelligence official.
The base in Hwadae, called Musudan-ri, was where North Korea test-fired its long-range Taepodong-2 in 2006.
There are fears that the missile, with a theoretical range of 6,700 km (4,200 miles), could be used to target the US state of Alaska.
But when the missile was last tested, it exploded within a minute.
North Korea's move comes with talks on an aid-for-disarmament deal - involving the US, China, Russia, Japan and South Korea - currently stalled.
Relations between the two Koreas are also tense following South President Lee Myung-bak's decision to link the provision on bilateral aid to progress on denuclearisation. Pyongyang has recently scrapped several peace agreements with Seoul.
The mooted launch also follows speculation about the health of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, who is believed to have suffered a stroke in mid-2008.
On a trip to Asia last week, the new US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned North Korea against any rash moves, saying a test-launch would be "unhelpful".
North Korea tested a nuclear weapon in October 2006. But experts say it does not yet have the technology to make a nuclear warhead small enough to mount on a missile.
What do you think of Korea's plan to launch a rocket carrying a communications satellite? Are you in the region? You can send us your views using the form below:What do you think of Korea's plan to launch a rocket carrying a communications satellite? Are you in the region? You can send us your views using the form below:
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