North Koreans about to launch long range rocket | Irish Sun

North Koreans about to launch long range rocket

Irish Sun Saturday 17th March, 2012

• North Korean rocket satellite causes concern

• Long-range rocket to go into space next month

• US says the launch will be closely observed

The North Korean government has announced it will launch a satellite into space next month.

On Friday the government said it would send a satellite into space to honour former communist leader Kim Il Sung.

The launch date has been set for around the 16th April.

KCNA state news agency announced the launch of the locally developed Kwangmyongsong-3 "earth observation satellite."

It said the launch would be "in line with the government's policy for space development and peaceful use."

After the announcement, US officials said North Korea would violate international obligations if it went ahead with the launch, which would be regarded as a threat to regional security.

North Korea recently gave an undertaking not to launch long-range missiles.