When North Korea blasted a missile over Japan in 1998, it also described that as a satellite launch. US and South Korean intelligence sources believe the communist state is preparing to test-fire the Taepodong-2 – a missile designed to reach as far as Alaska – using its space programme as a smokescreen for upgrading ballistic weapons.
“If this satellite is successfully launched, our country's space technology will have taken another important stride towards making our nation an economic powerhouse,” North Korea's space technology committee told state media.
The country said that its satellite would be used for communications, geological exploration and weather-forecasting.
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