N. Korea says foreign groups support satellite launch, no word on launch itself

SEOUL, April 5 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's state news agency on Sunday claimed it
has the full backing of foreign powers for its rocket launch, without mentioning
the launch itself.
"Political parties and groups of many countries have expressed their support for
(North Korea's) peaceful space development plan," the Korean Central News Agency
said in a dispatch that came about an hour after the launch.
South Korea's presidential office said the launch took place 15 seconds past
11:30 a.m.
The report said foreign supporters expressed "great concern over a reckless ado"
staged by the United States and its "followers," apparently referring to South
Korea and Japan, who suspect the rocket launch is a disguised long-range missile
test.
North Korea has said the launch of the communications satellite Kwangmyongsong-2
is part of its space development program.
hkim@yna.co.kr
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