calendar>>March 28. 2012 Juch 101
S. Korean Newspaper Praises DPRK's Planned Satellite Launch
Pyongyang, March 28 (KCNA) -- South Korean internet paper Jaju Minbo carried an article on Mar. 23 on the DPRK's planned launch of earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong-3.

The article accused the U.S. and its allies like Japan and south Korea of their wrongdoings as regards the launch.

It went on:

What is of greatest concern with regard to the north's launch of Kwangmyongsong-3 is the scientific and technological level that the north has reached.

The north launched a satellite in 2009.

Kwangmyongsong-3 to be lifted off by carrier rocket Unha-3 is an earth observation satellite going round the polar orbit. The north developed the experimental communications satellite into the pole-orbiting earth observation satellite.

A director of a research centre noted with appreciation that Kwangmyongsong-3 is apparently an artificial satellite, adding this is a clear reminder of the high-level technology of manufacturing satellites of the north.

He said the north is likely to launch a lunar explorer satellite.

The announcement of the projected satellite launch was neither surprising nor unexpected, he said, and went on:

On Aug. 31, 2008, the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Kwangmyongsong-1, Radio Pyongyang said that the DPRK is on the level of launching a desired working satellite any time if has a will and the DPRK will launch into space a lot of satellites called Kwangmyongsong.

What is more surprising is the DPRK's announcement that it will live-broadcast the launch of Kwangmyongsong-3. The north said that it would invite experts and mediapersons from around the world to the launching station to observe the launch.

The article concluded that amid commemorations of the centenary of the birth of President Kim Il Sung, the world would see Kwangmyongsong-3 entering into the orbit, adding that April is a much-looked forward month.

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