This photo provided by KCNA on Dec. 14, 2012 shows Kim Jong Un (Front), top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), applauds after the successful launch of Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite at the Pyongyang General Satellite Control Command Center on Dec. 12, 2012. Kim Jong Un personally commanded Wednesday's satellite launch and observed the whole launching process, the official news agency KCNA reported earlier Friday. (Xinhua/KCNA)
PYONGYANG, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), personally commanded Wednesday's satellite launch at the Pyongyang General Satellite Control Command Center and observed the whole launching process, the official news agency KCNA reported earlier Friday.
Kim issued the final written order on the launch of Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite to the Korean Committee of Space Technology at 8 am Wednesday, gave the launch order at the Command Center at 9 am and observed whole launching process, said the KCNA.
Kim said the successful launch of the satellite "served as an occasion showed at home and abroad the unshakable stand of the DPRK to exercise its legitimate right of using space for peaceful purposes and developing the country's science, technology and economy."
He spoke highly of the ardent loyalty and patriotic devotion made by scientists and technicians, pledging to continue launching satellites in the future and bring about a fresh turn in scientific researches.
The "Juche (self-reliant) Satellite", developed by the country' s own strength and technology, has consolidated DPRK's status as a space power, said Kim, adding the proud victory has shown the country's high scientific level in spite of disadvantageous winter weather.
Kim, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), first chairman of the National Defense Commission (NDC) of the DPRK, had been accompanied by Jang Song Thaek, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK and vice- chairman of the NDC, and Pak To Chun, member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the WPK Central Committee.
According to the KCNA, the second version of Kwangmyongsong-3 was launched by an Unha-3 carrier rocket at 9:49 a.m. local time ( 0049 GMT) Wednesday from the Sohae Space Center in Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province, and entered the preset orbit.
This was the DPRK's second satellite launch after Kim took power. The previous one in April ended in failure.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of the country's late leader Kim Il Sung, and Dec. 17 marks the first anniversary of the death of the DPRK's previous leader, Kim Jong Il.
PYONGYANG, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Wednesday defended its right to launch a satellite for peaceful and scientific purposes.
"No matter what others say, we will continue to exercise our legitimate right to launch satellites and thus actively contribute to the economic construction and improvement of people's living standards," the official KCNA news agency quoted a DPRK Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying. Full story
BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- China said Thursday that it has made contact with all relevant parties since the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's satellite launch.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks at a daily press briefing. Full story
MOSCOW, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The rocket launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will hinder the six-party talks, a senior Russian diplomat said Thursday.
Wednesday's launch would "affect the general atmosphere in the region and the efficiency of efforts to provide conditions for the restart of the six-party negotiations," Grigory Logvinov, the Foreign Ministry's special envoy, told the Interfax news agency. Full story
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday deplored Pyongyang's rocket launch, calling the move a clear violation of a UN Security Council resolution.
"The secretary-general deplores the rocket launch announced by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)," said a statement issued by his spokesman. Full story
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