North Korea confirms successful satellite launch

Official media of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Wednesday confirmed that the country successfully launched and orbited an earth observation satellite.

"The successful launch of the satellite is a proud fruition of the Workers' Party of Korea's policy of attaching importance to science and technology," said news agency KCNA.

The success serves "as an event of great turn in developing the country's science, technology and economy by fully exercising its independent right to use space for peaceful purposes," it added.

According to the KCNA, a Unha-3 rocket carrying the second version of the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite blasted off from the Sohae Space Center in Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province, at 09:49:46 local time (0049 GMT).

The satellite, said the KCNA, entered its preset orbit 9 minutes and 27 seconds after the lift-off, and then started going round the polar orbit at 499.7 km perigee altitude and 584.18 km apogee altitude at the angle of inclination of 97.4 degrees, with a cycle of 95 minutes and 29 seconds.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of late President Kim Il Sung, and this month marks the first anniversary of the demise of late leader Kim Jong Il.

Int'l Reactions

	China "regrets" DPRK's satellite launch China regrets the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) satellite launch amid the "universal" concern of the international community, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday.
	White House reacts to DPRK launch White House spokesman Tommy Vietor says US condemns the launch as a "highly provocative act" in direct violation of UN resolutions and vows to work with international partners to seek "appropriate action" against Pyongyang.
	Russia voices regret over DPRK's rocket launch Russia on Wednesday expressed "deep regret" over the rocket launch by DPRK, saying the move violated a UN Security Council resolution.
	S.Korea's Lee convene security meeting following DPRK's rocket launch South Korea strongly condemned North Korea’s rocket launch, saying that it violated a UN resolution and sent Aegis destroyers to trace the rocket.
	Japan strongly protests against DPRK's satellite launch Japan on Wednesday strongly protested against a satellite launch by DPRK, saying the launch was "unacceptable" and violates the United Nations' relative resolutions.
	Philippines "strongly condemns" DPRK rocket launching The Philippine government on Wednesday "strongly condemns" DPRK's rocket launching, saying that it violated an UN resolution.
	New Zealand condemns DPRK satellite launch The New Zealand government Wednesday condemned the launch of a satellite using long-range ballistic missile technology by DPRK.

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