PYONGYANG, December 13 (Itar-Tass) —— A successful launch of the earth satellite rocket Kwangmyongsong-3 (Shining Star-3) is “a worthy result of the policy of the Korean Workers’ Party, a historic event in the development of domestic science, technologies on the basis of the sovereign right for the peaceful use of the outer space.” The North Korean leading newspapers are commenting on the launch of a heavy launch vehicle Unha-3 (Milky Way-3) with the earth satellite rocket from the Sohae Satellite Launching Station.
Thus, North Korean scientists “performed perfectly the covenants of great military commander Kim Jong Il, who ordered to put into orbit a scientific satellite in 2012, when the country celebrates the 100th birth anniversary of “first and eternal” president Kim Il Sung,” the newspapers reported.
The residents of the North Korean capital took the news report about the putting the domestic satellite in the orbit “with excitement and exultation,” the newspapers reported on Thursday. After the launch representatives of local media were granted the access to the Flight Control Centre, which is situated in Pyongyang. The Flight Control Centre informed them in detail about the mission of this satellite, the KCNA news agency reported. Foreign journalists accredited in North Korea did not receive an invitation to visit this centre.
The newspapers also published a statement of a diplomatic official of the North Korean Foreign Ministry. He noted that North Korea will continue to launch satellites for economic construction and making the life level of the North Koreans higher “despite the foreign response.”
The North Korean hostile forces claimed that this peaceful launch was allegedly made “in violation of the resolution of the UN Security Council,” the diplomat noted. However, he noted that the use of the outer space in peaceful ends “was recognized by international laws and reflects the common will of the world community.” Therefore, the North Korean diplomat put into question the role of the UN Security Council in the debates on this problem.
He also named as a provocative act the statements that the launch of the satellite in North Korea became “a test-launch of a long-range missile for military purposes that will mount tensions.” All countries concerned “should show the common sense and a calm position in order to avert the undesirable development of the current situation,” the North Korean diplomat said.