North Korea Plans Satellite Launch This Month

Weeks after its fourth nuclear test, North Korea announced plans Tuesday to launch an Earth observation satellite on a rocket later this month, in what critics see as a covert test of banned technology for a ballistic missile that could strike the U.S. mainland.

North Korean rocket Unha-3, carrying the satellite Kwangmyongsong-3, lifts off from the launching pad in Cholsan County, North Pyongan Province, North Korea, on Dec. 12, 2012. KNS/AFP/Getty Images

SEOUL, South Korea—Weeks after its fourth nuclear test, North Korea announced plans Tuesday to launch an Earth observation satellite on a rocket later this month, in what critics see as a covert test of banned technology for a ballistic missile that could strike the U.S. mainland.

An official at the London-based International Maritime Organization said North Korea declared that the launch would be conducted between Feb. 8 and 25, between 7 a.m. and noon Pyongyang time. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because she hadn’t been authorized to speak publicly yet.

U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said North Korea also informed the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Telecommunication Union of the planned satellite launch.

Right now, we're carefully monitoring developments and are in close touch with the interested parties and the international organizations.

— Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman, United Nations