ID :
54079
Mon, 04/06/2009 - 12:24
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/54079
The shortlink copeid
Kim lauds 'successful' rocket launch, photos show little sign of emotion
SEOUL, April 6 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il watched the country's rocket launch at a command center and celebrated the "successful" orbiting of a satellite, the North's state media said Monday, but photos showed him expressionless and tight-lipped.
North Korea claims its communications satellite, Kwangmyongsong-2, made it into
orbit on Sunday, contradicting outside monitoring sources who say it fell into
the Pacific Ocean.
The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Kim watched the satellite
launch at the General Satellite Control Command Center and lauded scientists for
their success.
"It is a striking demonstration ... that our scientists and technicians developed
both the multistage carrier rocket and the satellite with their own wisdom and
technology 100 percent and accurately put the satellite into orbit at one go,"
Kim was quoted as saying by the KCNA.
But photos released by the KCNA showed a straight-faced Kim, sporting a silver
parka and his trademark sunglasses, and posing with young scientists and senior
party officials who were equally expressionless.
The report did not say where the satellite command center is located, and Seoul
officials would not disclose that information. But a KCNA report on Sunday saying
Kim had visited a theater in Pyongyang suggests the center may be in or around
the capital.
South Korea and the U.S. said the first booster of the three-stage carrier rocket
fell into the East Sea lying between Korea and Japan, while the second and third
stages fell into the Pacific Ocean.
Kim also stressed "the need to bring about a new turn in conquering outer space
and making peaceful use of it," the report said.
The North Korean leader is expected to begin his third term as chairman as the
National Defense Commission, which oversees the country's 1.19-million strong
military and is the highest decision-making body, when the newly-elected
parliament convenes on Thursday to reappoint Kim and discuss state affairs.
Seoul officials compare Kim's reappointment with the launch of a new
administration in other countries.
North Korea claims its communications satellite, Kwangmyongsong-2, made it into
orbit on Sunday, contradicting outside monitoring sources who say it fell into
the Pacific Ocean.
The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Kim watched the satellite
launch at the General Satellite Control Command Center and lauded scientists for
their success.
"It is a striking demonstration ... that our scientists and technicians developed
both the multistage carrier rocket and the satellite with their own wisdom and
technology 100 percent and accurately put the satellite into orbit at one go,"
Kim was quoted as saying by the KCNA.
But photos released by the KCNA showed a straight-faced Kim, sporting a silver
parka and his trademark sunglasses, and posing with young scientists and senior
party officials who were equally expressionless.
The report did not say where the satellite command center is located, and Seoul
officials would not disclose that information. But a KCNA report on Sunday saying
Kim had visited a theater in Pyongyang suggests the center may be in or around
the capital.
South Korea and the U.S. said the first booster of the three-stage carrier rocket
fell into the East Sea lying between Korea and Japan, while the second and third
stages fell into the Pacific Ocean.
Kim also stressed "the need to bring about a new turn in conquering outer space
and making peaceful use of it," the report said.
The North Korean leader is expected to begin his third term as chairman as the
National Defense Commission, which oversees the country's 1.19-million strong
military and is the highest decision-making body, when the newly-elected
parliament convenes on Thursday to reappoint Kim and discuss state affairs.
Seoul officials compare Kim's reappointment with the launch of a new
administration in other countries.
