DPRK readjusts satellite launching time

PYONGYANG - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said Saturday that the scheduled time for the satellite launch will be readjusted, the official news agency KCNA reported.

"As announced, we are making preparations for the launch of the second version of Kwangmyongsong-3, a scientific and technological satellite, at the final stage," the  KCNA quoted a spokesman for the Korean Committee for Space Technology as saying.

However, the unnamed spokesman added that "our scientists and technicians are now seriously examining the issues of readjusting the launching time of the satellite for some reasons."  

The satellite was scheduled to be launched from the Sohae Space Center in Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province, by the Unha-3 carrier rocket between December 10 and December 22, said the KCNA last Saturday, adding that Pyongyang will fully comply with relevant international rules during the December launch.

The DPRK launched a Kwangmyongsong-3 on April 13 to mark the 100th birthday of late DPRK founder Kim Il Sung. The long-range rocket crashed into the sea after traveling a short distance.