Kwangmyongsong-3
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The Kwangmyongsong-3 (光明星3号) is an earth observation satellite launched by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at 7:39 a.m. on April 13, 2012. But the launch of the Unha-3 carrier rocket, which carried the satellite, reportedly ended in failure, according to a statement from South Korea's Defense ministry spokesman, Kim Min-seook.
According to Kim's statement, which was quoted by Yonhap, South Korea's official news agency, the Unha-3 rocket took off from the Tongchang-ri launch site at 7:39 a.m. April 13, but appears to have separated into several pieces before crashing into the sea a few minutes after takeoff.
The DPRK government says the launch is for weather forecast purposes.
The DPRK announced on March 16 its plan to launch the Kwangmyongsong-3 between April 12-16 to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il Sung, the country's founder.
The launch plan has raised serious concerns in the international community, with the United Nations, South Korea, Japan and the United States calling on the DPRK to reconsider or suspend the plan. Japan on April 7 deployed missile batteries in Tokyo and has dispatched destroyers carrying interceptor missiles, reportedly in the East China Sea, to intercept the DPRK rocket if it, or its fragments, threatens to hit Japan. South Korea has also warned it might shoot down any parts of the rocket heading for its territory. China is closely monitoring the launch and has strongly advised all parties involved to remain calm and reasonable.
The DPRK government has invited about 30 reporters representing 21 major international media outlets, including the AP, CNN, Kyodo, AFP, Reuters, BBC and Xinhua News Agency, to capital Pyongyang to report on the satellite launch.
