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North Korea to launch satellites despite US opposition — State Committee

The United States and its allies consider creation of the country’s new satellite flight control centre preparation for the launch of ballistic missiles

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PYONGYANG, May 8. /TASS/. Peaceful exploration of outer space is the legitimate right of North Korea as a sovereign state, a representative of the DPRK State Committee of Space Technology said in a statement on Friday.

He dismissed as provocative comments made by the United States and its allies that consider creation of the country’s new satellite flight control centre preparation for the launch of ballistic missiles, and an act of escalating tensions with the international community. The State Committee said that North Korea would not give up its status of a country, making and launching satellites based on domestic technology, and is determined to continue space exploration, despite the opposition of the United States and other hostile forces. The study of near-Earth space for peaceful purposes is North Korea’s long-term program, the statement says.

On Sunday, the North’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the country’s newly built satellite flight control centre. "Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, first chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army (KPA), inspected the newly-built General Satellite Control Centre of the National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA)," the agency said. "The successful construction of the centre as a monumental edifice in the era of the Workers’ Party provided a solid springboard for continued launch of various working satellites essential for the country's sci-tech and economic development and national defence," KCNA reported.

Having inspected the centre’s various facilities, the North Korean leader said that satellite launches would be carried out on schedule in accordance with the decisions of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea.

Previously, the UN Security Council imposed sanctions on North Korea for the nuclear tests and missile launches carried out by DPRK. Unilateral sanctions were imposed on Pyongyang also by the United States, Japan and several other countries.

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