North Korea has notified international organizations of its plans to launch a satellite into space next month and told them about measures they can take to ensure the safety of aircraft and ships.
Officials at South Korea's Ministry of Land, Transport, and Maritime Affairs said Thursday that North Korea has informed the International Maritime Organization of its plans to launch what it calls an experimental communications satellite in early April.
Officials said
North Korea told the organization that the launch would be made in an easterly direction. The French News Agency says North Korea mentioned two risk areas - the Pacific Ocean and the East Sea.
Pyongyang's state media also reported Thursday that North Korea has already informed the International Civil Aviation Organization and others about the launch.
The United States and its allies believe the North may be planning to test a long-range ballistic missile and have urged Pyongyang to scrap its plans.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said the United States is considering a range of responses if North Korea goes ahead with a long-range missile launch.
Clinton has said Washington might take up the issue in the United Nations Security Council because a launch would violate a 2006 Security Council resolution.
Clinton said the United States will continue to press North Korea to fulfill its obligations under the six-nation nuclear talks regardless of whether a launch occurs. She said it is important not confuse the two issues, but the United States wants the missile issue to be included in future six-party talks.
The top U.S. diplomat said it is important for the Chinese-chaired talks to resume as soon as possible.
Officials at South Korea's Ministry of Land, Transport, and Maritime Affairs said Thursday that North Korea has informed the International Maritime Organization of its plans to launch what it calls an experimental communications satellite in early April.
Officials said
North Korea told the organization that the launch would be made in an easterly direction. The French News Agency says North Korea mentioned two risk areas - the Pacific Ocean and the East Sea. Pyongyang's state media also reported Thursday that North Korea has already informed the International Civil Aviation Organization and others about the launch.
The United States and its allies believe the North may be planning to test a long-range ballistic missile and have urged Pyongyang to scrap its plans.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said the United States is considering a range of responses if North Korea goes ahead with a long-range missile launch.
Clinton has said Washington might take up the issue in the United Nations Security Council because a launch would violate a 2006 Security Council resolution.
Clinton said the United States will continue to press North Korea to fulfill its obligations under the six-nation nuclear talks regardless of whether a launch occurs. She said it is important not confuse the two issues, but the United States wants the missile issue to be included in future six-party talks.
The top U.S. diplomat said it is important for the Chinese-chaired talks to resume as soon as possible.
source : www.voanews.com/english/2009-03-12-voa7.cfm
No comments:
Post a Comment