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N. Korea extends rocket launch period by a week
Source: Agencies |
December 11, 2012, Tuesday
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NORTH Korea yesterday extended the launch period for a controversial long-range rocket by another week until December 29, citing technical glitches.
An unidentified spokesman for the Korean Committee of Space Technology said in a statement that scientists found a "technical deficiency in the first-stage control engine module of the rocket."
The statement didn't elaborate but said technicians were "pushing forward" with final preparations for the launch.
North Korea is making its second attempt of the year to launch a rocket that the United Nations, the United States, South Korea and others call a cover meant to test technology for missiles that could be used to strike the US. They have warned North Korea to cancel the launch or face a new wave of sanctions.
The North Koreans call the launch a peaceful bid to advance their space program, and a last wish of late leader Kim Jong Il, who died a year ago on December 17. North Korea is also celebrating the centennial this year of the birth of national founder Kim Il Sung, current leader Kim Jong Un's grandfather.
An April launch broke apart seconds after liftoff.
North Korea had originally set up a 13-day launch window, starting yesterday, but it announced early on Sunday that it may delay the liftoff because of unspecified reasons.
Experts in Seoul and Tokyo had speculated that technical glitches may have forced scientists to postpone the launch of the finicky three-stage rocket, its fifth attempt since 1998.
The US, Japan and South Korea say they'll seek UN Security Council action if the launch goes ahead. The council condemned April's launch and ordered the seizure of assets of three North Korean state companies linked to financing, exporting and procuring weapons and missile technology.
An unidentified spokesman for the Korean Committee of Space Technology said in a statement that scientists found a "technical deficiency in the first-stage control engine module of the rocket."
The statement didn't elaborate but said technicians were "pushing forward" with final preparations for the launch.
North Korea is making its second attempt of the year to launch a rocket that the United Nations, the United States, South Korea and others call a cover meant to test technology for missiles that could be used to strike the US. They have warned North Korea to cancel the launch or face a new wave of sanctions.
The North Koreans call the launch a peaceful bid to advance their space program, and a last wish of late leader Kim Jong Il, who died a year ago on December 17. North Korea is also celebrating the centennial this year of the birth of national founder Kim Il Sung, current leader Kim Jong Un's grandfather.
An April launch broke apart seconds after liftoff.
North Korea had originally set up a 13-day launch window, starting yesterday, but it announced early on Sunday that it may delay the liftoff because of unspecified reasons.
Experts in Seoul and Tokyo had speculated that technical glitches may have forced scientists to postpone the launch of the finicky three-stage rocket, its fifth attempt since 1998.
The US, Japan and South Korea say they'll seek UN Security Council action if the launch goes ahead. The council condemned April's launch and ordered the seizure of assets of three North Korean state companies linked to financing, exporting and procuring weapons and missile technology.
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