N. Korean rocket flew like one carrying satellite: minister

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, April 14 (Yonhap) -- The flight path of the North Korean rocket fired last
week showed signs it was carrying a satellite and separated in its final two
stages, South Korea's defense head said Tuesday.
North Korea fired a three-stage rocket on April 5, claiming it succeeded in
putting a satellite into orbit. South Korea and the United States say no new
object entered orbit, and argue the launch was actually a test of its ballistic
missile technology in violation of a U.N. resolution.
The rocket "followed the trajectory of a satellite," South Korean Defense
Minister Lee Sang-hee told a National Assembly hearing. South Korean officials
had said the trajectory of the rocket could help clarify whether the isolated
state attempted to orbit a satellite or test a Taepodong-2 missile capable of
reaching Alaska.
"North Korea could still improve the rocket propellant and navigational
technology" through the technology demonstrated so far, Lee added.
Speaking at a closed-door session with lawmakers, Lee also said the final two
stages of the rocket separated before crashing into the Pacific Ocean, according
to Yoo Seong-min of the ruling Grand National Party.
South Korea and the U.S. had declined to say whether the last stages came apart
before crashing, only saying that the first stage landed in the East Sea while
the payload fell with the last stage.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)