North Korean envoy briefs MEA on satellite launch

New Delhi, Apr 9 (PTI) Amid global uproar over its rocket
launch, North Korea has briefed India on the development
claiming that it had only put into orbit a "communications
satellite".

Ambassador Rim Hoe Song met N Ravi, Secretary (East) in
the Ministry of External Affairs Wednesday and informed him
about the launch of Kwangmyongsong-2, an "experimental
communications satellite" on Sunday.

"I informed him about the launch of a satellite which
demonstrates the high level of progress achieved by scientists
in North Korea," Rim told PTI through an interpreter.

India has voiced its concern over the "possible
destabilising effect" the event would have in the "volatile
region."

The North Korean envoy expressed satisfaction on India's
stand that only the UN Security Council was entitled to arrive
at a conclusion on the nature of the rocket launch.

While North Korea claims it launched a satellite, South
Korea, Japan and the US believe it was a cover for testing
Pyongyang's missile technology.

Rim said that North Korean officials had informed various
global agencies including the International Civil Aviation
Organisation (ICAO) about the impending launch well in
advance.

Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee had
said that while India is for total disarmament, UN watchdog
IAEA was the appropriate body to sit on a judgement on whether
North Korea had fulfilled its treaty obligations.

The UN Security Council met after a demand from Japan and
the US but failed to come out with an immediate response to
the rocket launch.

Rim said North Korea has exercised its right for peaceful
uses of outer space and its satellite had been broadcasting
patriotic songs praising its national leaders.

"Outer space is common property and every country has
equal right to exploit space for peaceful purposes," he said.

Rim said any discussion at the UN Security Council on its
satellite launch would amount to pursuance of "hostile and
sinister policy" towards North Korea.

He said North Korea would walk away from the six-party
talks to find a peaceful resolution of the security concerns
arising out of the nuclear weapons programme of the Stalinist
nation. PTI SKU
SAK
NNNN