Moscow, Dec 1 (IANS/RIA Novosti) North Korea said Saturday it would launch a "working satellite" later this month, sparking protests from neighbouring South Korea.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), quoting an unidentified spokesperson for the North's Korean Space Technology Committee, said the launch would be carried out between Dec 10 and 22.

South Korea called the launch announcement a "grave provocation," and a "challenge to the international community."

Pyongyang launched an Unhua rocket carrying a satellite in April, but the launch was a failure.

North Korea's neighbours are alarmed by its rocket tests which they say demonstrate its ambitions to deploy long-range missiles. North Korea has previously tested nuclear weapons.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

sd/vd

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow Taaza News on Facebook, Twitter and Google+)

Flag Bookmark Tweet