North Korea claims right to develop space program

North Korea insists that developing its space program is an exercise of its "legitimate right," raising suspicions that Pyongyang is about to launch a missile.

North Korea's rocket launch to put a satellite into orbit in February 2016. Photo: Kyodo/Reuters.

"Launching a satellite is an exercise of the legitimate right, in full compliance with the UN Charter and international law on the peaceful use of outer space," Rodong Sinmun, the mouthpiece of the North Korean Workers' Party, reported today.

According to the newspaper, this is an area of ​​international competition not only for a few developed countries but also for many other countries, such as Algeria and Venezuela.

"The DPRK has also joined the trend of space development that is taking place all over the world," the newspaper said. North Korea will continue to promote "peaceful" space development, aiming to "contribute to the dreams and ideals of mankind."

Rodong Sinmun affirmed that with the launch of the Kwangmyongsong-4 satellite in February 2016, Pyongyang has entered the stage of developing application satellites.

The news has raised concerns that North Korea is about to test a missile under the guise of space research. "It could be part of an effort to create an excuse to launch a long-range missile," said Cho Sung-ryul, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Security and Strategy.

North Korea on December 24 criticized the latest UN sanctions resolution against the country as "nothing short of an act of war". The resolution was adopted by the Security Council on December 22 in response to North Korea's missile test launch in late November.

North Korea is banned by the United Nations from developing nuclear weapons and missiles. North Korea says its nuclear program is necessary to counter hostility from the United States, which has about 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on the United States and North Korea to start talks today. He said Russia was ready to facilitate such an activity.

According to VNE