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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| North Korea 'plans rocket launch' | North Korea 'plans rocket launch' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| North Korea has announced that it is preparing to launch a rocket carrying a communications satellite. | North Korea has announced that it is preparing to launch a rocket carrying a communications satellite. |
| It did not give a date for the launch, but said it 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 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. |
| In July 2006 it test-fired the three-stage long-range Taepodong-2, but the missile failed shortly after launch. | In July 2006 it test-fired the three-stage long-range Taepodong-2, but the missile failed shortly after launch. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Alaska reach | Alaska reach |
| The announcement came in a statement from the national space agency, carried by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). North Korea's missile programme | The announcement came in a statement from the national space agency, carried by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). North Korea's missile programme |
| "Full-scale preparations are under way to launch a rocket Unha-2 to put communication satellite Kwangmyongsong-2 into orbit," it said. | "Full-scale preparations are under way to launch a rocket Unha-2 to put communication satellite Kwangmyongsong-2 into orbit," it said. |
| "When this satellite is successfully launched, our space technology will make a great step forward toward becoming an economically strong country." | "When this satellite is successfully launched, our space technology will make a great step forward toward becoming an economically strong country." |
| The launch is planned from a base in Hwadae in the northeast of the country, the statement said. | The launch is planned from a base in Hwadae in the northeast of the country, the statement said. |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 failed within a minute and fell into the sea. | But when the missile was last tested, it failed within a minute and fell into the sea. |
| 'Threatening act' | |
| North Korea's move comes with talks on an aid-for-disarmament deal - involving the US, China, Russia, Japan and South Korea - currently stalled. | 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 of 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. | 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". | 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". |
| South Korean Defence Minister Lee Sang-hee urged North Korea to provide evidence to support its claim of a satellite, rather than missile, launch. | |
| "Whether it is a missile or a satellite, it is similar technology. In either case, we believe it is a threatening act towards us and we are preparing to deal with it accordingly," he added. | |
| Japan said it was currently assessing the situation and China said it had taken note of the matter, while calling for stability in the region. | |
| 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. | 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 North Korea's announcement? Are you in the region? You can send us your views using the form below: | What do you think of North Korea's announcement? Are you in the region? You can send us your views using the form below: |
| In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |