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N Korea's Kim tours launch region N Korea's Kim tours launch region
(about 17 hours later)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has been touring the province where preparations for a rocket launch are underway, state media say. North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has been touring the province where preparations for a rocket launch are under way, state media say.
In recent days Mr Kim is said to have visited a factory, a military unit and other sites in North Hamgyong Province.In recent days Mr Kim is said to have visited a factory, a military unit and other sites in North Hamgyong Province.
The province is home to the Musudan-ri base, from which North Korea says it plans to launch a satellite.The province is home to the Musudan-ri base, from which North Korea says it plans to launch a satellite.
North Korea's neighbours believe it is planning a long-range missile test and have urged it not to go ahead.North Korea's neighbours believe it is planning a long-range missile test and have urged it not to go ahead.
The reports from official news agency KCNA made no mention of the planned launch.The reports from official news agency KCNA made no mention of the planned launch.
A spokesman for South Korea's Unification Ministry said Seoul did not know whether Mr Kim's visit was related to the launch or just part of his regular inspection tours to parts of the country.A spokesman for South Korea's Unification Ministry said Seoul did not know whether Mr Kim's visit was related to the launch or just part of his regular inspection tours to parts of the country.
But, said South Korean daily Choson Ilbo, Mr Kim made a similar round of visits in the province weeks before North Korea's long-range missile test in 2006.But, said South Korean daily Choson Ilbo, Mr Kim made a similar round of visits in the province weeks before North Korea's long-range missile test in 2006.
North Korea's neighbours believe it is planning to test-fire a long-range Taepodong-2 missile, under the guise of a satellite launch, and have cautioned against it.North Korea's neighbours believe it is planning to test-fire a long-range Taepodong-2 missile, under the guise of a satellite launch, and have cautioned against it.
The US said Pyongyang should abide by its commitments under a February 2007 aid-for-disarmament deal.The US said Pyongyang should abide by its commitments under a February 2007 aid-for-disarmament deal.
"Intimidation and threats are not helpful to try to bring about regional stability," State Department spokesman Robert Wood said."Intimidation and threats are not helpful to try to bring about regional stability," State Department spokesman Robert Wood said.