Article Posted on : - Mar 14, 2009

SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon holds his monthly press conference to discuss the outcome of his recent meeting with US President Barack H Obama in New York on March 12, 2009. UN photo

NEW YORK (BNS): The United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon Thursday voiced concern about plans by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to launch a satellite, warning that it could jeopardize stability in the region.

The DPRK authorities have reportedly announced that they plan to launch a satellite sometime between April 4 and 8.

“I’m concerned about DPRK’s recent moves to launch a satellite or long-range missiles,” Ki-moon told a news conference. “This will threaten the peace and stability in the region.”

The UN secretary general encouraged Pyongyang to comply with Security Council resolution 1718, which demanded that the country “not conduct any further nuclear test or launch of a ballistic missile,” following its claims to have conducted a nuclear test in October 2006.

“I hope they will abide by the relevant Security Council resolution and return to the Six-Party Talks,” he said, referring to the discussions involving DPRK, Republic of Korea, Japan, China, Russia and the United States.

Ki-moon also said he hoped for improved bilateral relations between DPRK and the Republic of Korea.
North Korea has reportedly informed the International Maritime Organization (IMO) about its intention to launch a communications satellite which uses the almost identical technology as the long-range missiles.

It reportedly said it expects the first stage of rocket to fall in the Sea of Japan and second in the Pacific Ocean. Reports say the launch, denounced by Washington as "provocative," could come as early as between April 4 and 6.

Analysts say that if North Korea has developed the technology to launch a satellite, its missiles could reach up to Alaska in the United States.