DPRK vows to continue long-range rockets test

PYONGYANG -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will continue launching powerful long-range rockets, the official news agency KCNA reported early Tuesday.

A decision adopted Monday by the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) "stressed the need to continue launching satellites of Kwangmyongsong series and powerful long-range rockets," according to KCNA.

The UN Security Council last month passed a resolution condemning the DPRK's satellite launch in December, demanding Pyongyang not proceed with any further launches using ballistic missile technology.

The DPRK, which insists its launch is for peaceful purposes, reacted furiously to the resolution and vowed to proceed with missile and nuclear tests targeting the US, its "sworn enemy."

But Monday's decision made no mention of the nuclear test.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported on Monday that the DPRK has pulled manpower and equipment out of alleged nuclear test site, citing the move as a possible sign of an imminent blast.

The DPRK has previously conducted nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009.