Korea plans to launch satellites into space

North Korea said it would launch more satellites into orbit.

In an article published on October 30, Rodong Sinmun said that Pyongyang would launch more satellites into space. The newspaper said it was part of Korea's five-year space development program (2016-2020 period) to improve the economy and people's lives.

'Some countries have used UN sanctions resolutions to oppose North Korea and prevent the development of a space program by a sovereign state like us. It is an unacceptable action ' - Rodong Sinmun wrote.

The long-range missile launch carries North Korea's KMS-4 Earth observation satellite on February 7, 2016.(Photo: AFP).

The Korean newspaper stressed: 'The fact that a country is associated with economic development with space programs has become a global trend'.

Earlier, Korean Deputy Ambassador Kim In-ryong said on October 17 that Pyongyang is planning to launch more satellites. At the same time, Mr. Kim accused the United States of trying to prevent Korea from achieving achievements in research and exploitation of space for peaceful purposes.

According to Yonhap, the statement shows that North Korea is likely to launch long-range missiles carrying satellites. Currently Korea has two satellites observing the Earth in space. Pyongyang launched a long-range missile carrying the Kwangmyongsong-4 Earth Observation Satellite (KMS-4) into orbit in February 2016 following a similar KMS-3 launch in December 2012.

Experts say North Korea's satellite launches are just a cover for the country to try ballistic missile technology. Pyongyang is currently banned from developing ballistic missiles under UN resolutions.