(3rd LD) N. Korea says it is preparing to launch 'satellite'

(ATTN: UPDATES story to stress North's first announcement of satellite plan)
By Kim Hyun
SEOUL, Feb. 24 (Yonhap) -- North Korea said Tuesday it is preparing to launch a
"satellite" from its northeastern coast, in its first official response to weeks
of intelligence reports that Pyongyang may test a long-range missile.
"Outer space is an asset common to mankind and its use for peaceful purposes has
become a global trend," an unnamed spokesman for the North's Korean Committee of
Space Technology said.
The planned launch is of an "experimental communications satellite" called
Kwangmyongsong-2, the spokesman said, by means of a delivery rocket called
Unha-2. He said the preparations are "now making brisk headway" at Tonghae
Satellite Launching Ground in Hwadae County, North Hamgyong Province, in the
country's northeast. The spokesman did not say when the launch would take place.
"When this satellite launch proves successful, the nation's space science and
technology will make another giant stride forward in building an economic power,"
the spokesman said in an English language statement carried by the official
Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
The statement was North Korea's first official assertion that it was preparing a
satellite, not a missile, responding to weeks of intelligence reports in Seoul
and Washington that the communist country may test-launch a long-range missile
that in theory is capable of reaching the U.S. West Coast.
A week ago, Pyongyang laid its claim to "space development," denying it was
planning a missile test.
North Korea made a similar claim after launching what it called satellite
"Kwangmyongsong-1" in 1998. The U.S. government later concluded it was a failed
satellite launch, as Pyongyang had not yet mastered the required solid-fuel
technology.
After firing a long-range Taepodong-2 missile in 2006, Pyongyang acknowledged it
was a missile launch. It failed about 40 seconds after blast-off.
South Korea and the U.S. view North Korea's satellite activity as a threat, as
putting a satellite into orbit involves technology development also used in
advancing long-range missile system. When Iran put its satellite in space early
this month, the U.S. called it a "grave concern."
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned North Korea during her trip to
Seoul last week not to engage in "provocative and unhelpful" behavior.
Seoul experts say North Korea may well launch a satellite, not a missile, as
Pyongyang has long wanted a satellite for its mobile communications and to gather
military and weather information.
Koh Yu-hwan, a North Korean studies professor at Dongguk University, said
launching a missile would be too risky for Pyongyang if it hopes to mend ties
with the new U.S. administration, while a satellite would be equally useful in
drawing economic incentives from other members of the six-party disarmament talks
-- South Korea, the U.S., China, Russia and Japan.
"It's not just the U.S. that is concerned about this issue. Russia and China are
also worried," Koh said. "North Korea may demand all the nations in the six-party
talks either provide incentives for giving up its satellite program or demand
they launch the satellites on Pyongyang's behalf."
Clinton said last week the missile issue could be addressed at the six-party
talks on Pyongyang's nuclear program, but the multilateral negotiations have been
in a limbo since late last year because of a dispute over how to verify North
Korea's past nuclear activity.
Paik Hak-soon with the Sejong Institute, an independent think tank, said North
Korea wants to press Washington for quick negotiations.
"The Barack Obama administration has been procrastinating announcing its North
Korea policy, while continuing to say it will be different from the Bush
administration and that it will seek direct dialogue," Paik said.
Another expert, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Iran has likely shared
its technology with North Korea, citing their frequent exchanges. Several Iranian
technicians are known to have visited North Korea to observe its missile launch
in 2006.
In Tuesday's statement, North Korea said its satellite program has achieved
"signal progress" over the past 10 years and now plans to put a number of
"practical satellites" into orbit for communications, natural resources
development and weather forecast purposes.
hkim@yna.co.kr
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