North Korea to Launch Long-range Rocket

North Korea says it will launch a satellite into space next month using a long-range rocket. Pyongyang argues it's part of a peaceful space program, exempt from disarmament agreements, but the US called the plan "highly provocative."

Published

about 1 year ago

Categories

World, Asia/Pacific, East Asia

Topics

Military

People

Kim Jong-il, Kim Jong-un, Kim Il Sung

Places

United States of America, South Korea, North Korea, Pyongyang, Seoul

Tags

satellite, nuclear security summit

Transcript

ScriptSHOTLIST:KRT - No Access NKoreaPyongyang, North Korea - 16 March 20121. Pre-bulletin title sequence, AUDIO: music2. UPSOUND (Korean): KRT newsreader:"The DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) is to launch a working satellite manufactured by itself with indigenous technology to mark the 100th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung." KRT - No Access NKoreaFILE: North Hamgyong Province, North Korea - 5 April 20093. Wide of rocket launching 4. Close-up of rocket launching KRT - No Access NKoreaFILE: Unknown date and location5. Various of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shaking hands with rocket researcher AP TELEVISION - AP CLIENTS ONLYSeoul - 16 Mar 20126. Various of Yang Moo-jin, professor at University of North Korean Studies in Seoul7. SOUNDBITE (English translation over Korean) Yang Moo-jin, Professor at University of North Korean Studies: "If North Korea launches Kwangmyongsong-3, it will strain the North Korea and US relations significantly. Also we cannot count out the possibility of the agreement they have made being completely nullified." INTERNET - AP CLIENTS ONLY16 March 20128. SCREEN GRAB of U.S. State Department web pageAP TELEVISION - AP CLIENTS ONLYSeoul - 16 Mar 20129. Various of South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan arriving at reception10. Wide of reception11. Kim at stageSCRIPTFriday's announcement from Pyongyang could jeopardise an agreement made just weeks ago with the U.S.UPSOUNDNorth Korea plans to send a satellite into space using a long-range rocket next month, as the country marks 100 years since the birth of its founder, Kim Il Sung.It comes three years after a similar launch drew widespread criticism, and months after Kim's grandson took over as North Korean leader following the death of his father in December. The launch could help celebrate the opening of the Kim Jong Un era, according to Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.He notes it also may torpedo the deal with Washington to bring food aid to the country...SOTThe US called Pyongyang's announcement 'highly provocative.' Weeks before a scheduled Nuclear Security Summit it's due to host, South Korea used similar language in its reaction.(****END****)VIDEO PRODUCER/VOICER: Karen Sloan------------------------------VIDEO SOURCE: KRT/ AP TELEVISION/ INTERNET--------------------------VIDEO APPROVAL: Samira Becirovic------------------------------VIDEO RESTRICTIONS: NO ACCESS NKOREA----------------------------------WIRE SOURCE: AP------------------------------------