North Korea Plans to Launch ‘Satellite’ To Mark Birth Anniversary of Its Founder
Please note that we are not authorised to provide any investment advice. The content on this page is for information purposes only.
North Korea has said it will launch a long-range rocket carrying a satellite to mark the 100th birth anniversary of its late founder President Kim Il Sung.
However, the announcement has drawn sharp criticism from the West and its South Korean neighbours who cite the UN Security Council’s resolutions prohibiting the North from any nuclear and ballistic missile activity.
[quote] Last month, Pyongyang had agreed to suspend its long-range missile tests in exchange for food aid from the United States. [/quote]
North Korea has said it will launch a long-range rocket carrying a satellite to mark the 100th birth anniversary of its late founder President Kim Il Sung.
However, the announcement has drawn sharp criticism from the West and its South Korean neighbours who cite the UN Security Council’s resolutions prohibiting the North from any nuclear and ballistic missile activity.
[quote] Last month, Pyongyang had agreed to suspend its long-range missile tests in exchange for food aid from the United States. [/quote]According to the North Korean state media, the launch will take place between the 12th and 16th of April in North Phyongan province to test satellite technology, as part of the100th birth anniversary celebrations, also expected to be marked with other festivities.
Related News: North Korea’s “Dear Leader” Kim Jong Il Dies Aged 69
South Korea, which is still technically at war with the North after signing only an armistice to end the 1950-53 Korean War, condemned the news and said the launch would be a ‘grave provocation threatening the peace and security’ in the region.
Japan too, has urged North Korea to abandon the planned launch. In 2009, North Korea launched a multi-stage rocket that passed over Japan and landed in the Pacific Ocean, a provocation than drew widespread condemnation from all across the world.
North Korea, however, insists the launch would not violate any international law.
Related Information: North Korea Economy
Related Information: North Korea Export, Import and Trade
A spokesperson for North Korea’s committee for space technology said:
[quote] A safe flight orbit has been chosen so that carrier rocket debris to be generated during the flight would not have any impact on neighbouring countries … The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will strictly abide by relevant international regulations and usage concerning the launch of scientific and technological satellites for peaceful purposes on a higher stage. [/quote]Daniel Pinkston, an expert on North Korea’s weapons program at the International Crisis Group, told the AP:
[quote] The window for the launch is important in terms of domestic politics of the North. [The launch] serves to underline North Korea’s military capabilities and reinforces Kim Jong Un’s fledgling rule. [/quote]However, Pinkston believes the launch would jeopardize the recent food deal signed with the United States.
Related News: China Sees “Great Potential” in Economic Cooperation with North Korea
Related News: North Korea Increases Trade Dependency on China
