Editor's note:

North Korean space officials said they were set to complete the installment of the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite on the Unha-3 rocket Tuesday and would launch the satellite between Thursday and Monday as planned.
This announcement  has sparked immediate condemnation from the US, South Korea and Japan.

Top news:

Undated file Google satellite photo shows the launch pad in Tongchang-ri base, Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Media reports said the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has launched an earth observation satellite on April 13, 2012. Photo: Xinhua

Kim determined after failed launch

Kim Jong-un, the new North Korean top leader, gave his first public speech Sunday before a military parade in Pyongyang, the crescendo of a series of activities to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of North Korean founder Kim Il-sung.

First day of launch window sees North Korean rocket stay grounded

North Korea opeed its five-day window for the launch of the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite Thursday, but the first day passed without a liftoff. There are no signs that North Korea may call off the planned launch.

US media says DPRK rocket launch 'failed'

Pyongyang says all set for rocket launch

North Korean space officials said they were set to complete the installment of the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite on the Unha-3 rocket Tuesday and would launch the satellite between Thursday and Monday as planned.

Kim Jong-un named to new top post

Kim Jong-un was named the top leader of North Korea's Workers' Party Wednesday, as the country approaches the date for its satellite launch, planned between today and Monday.

North Korea to continue with satellite launch plan

North Korea Sunday reiterated its determination to launch a satellite next month, but analysts expressed concerns over the timing of the mission and called on relevant parties to exercise restraint.

N.Korea prepares for rocket launch

North Korea appears ready to go ahead with its launch plan of the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite with the three-stage rocket on the launch platform amid international concerns and warnings, Reuters reported Monday.

Audio news:

Chinese, Japanese, ROK FMs meet on trilateral cooperation

China, Japan and South Korea held their annual trilateral foreign ministers meeting in China's eastern city of Ningbo on Sunday. The foreign ministers have discussed trilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional hotspot issues, including the announcement by the North Korea to launch a satellite.

Launch plan of the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite:

	Time: April 12-16
	Place: Sohae Satellite Launching Station in Cholsan county, North Phyongan Province
	Direction: Southward
	Satellite: Earth Observation Satellite Kwangmyongsong-3
	Satellite Rocket: Carrier Rocket Unha-3

Source: Global Times-Agencies

China's concern:

China again expressed concerns Sunday over the development of the situation on the Korean Peninsula, as some 30 foreign reporters have arrived in North Korea for the upcoming satellite launch.

North Korea's satellite launch tough test for Chinese diplomacy	China concerns over DPRK satellite launch plan
Since its announcement that it would launch the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite in mid-April, North Korea has warned that any country that intercepts the long-range rocket would face retaliation and merciless punishment, has made intense preparations, and has installed the rocket for the planned satellite mission on the launch pad. Now the satellite launch is inevitable.	A senior Chinese diplomat said China has conveyed its concern over a plan of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to launch a satellite in April.

Source: Global Times Japan's interception:

Japan deploys missile interceptor in Okainawa

Japan has finished deploying land-based interceptor missiles to Okinawa preparation for a planned DPRK rocket launch. Japan has said it would shoot down the rocket if it crosses Japan’s airspace.
(Source: Xinhua)

Japan on alert to intercept NK rocket

Japanese Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka on Friday ordered missile units to intercept a rocket carrying a North Korean satellite that Pyongyang plans to launch next month if it poses a direct threat to Japan.
The order followed instructions issued earlier in the week for the military to prepare to intercept the rocket if it enters Japanese territory.

Japan says interceptors deployed for DPRK satellite launch

Japan completed deployment of interceptor missiles Monday ahead of the planned satellite launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Defence Ministry said.

Japanese PM office to launch task force for DPRK rocket launch

Japan's Prime Minister's office will launch task force for Domestic People's Republic of Korea's ( DPRK) rocket launch, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura on Wednesday.

Source: Global Times-Agencies

International reactions:

US	US says DPRK satellite launch provocative Clinton urges DPRK to drop satellite launch Obama presses DPRK to drop planned rocket launch
New Zealand	New Zealand urges DPRK to abandon missile satellite launch
Russia	Russia concerned over DPRK's satellite launch plan
Japan	Japan on alert to intercept NK rocket
South Korea	S. Korea renews condemnation of DPRK's planned satellite launch
EU	The European Union (EU) expressed its worries and called on the country to refrain from the launch plan.
UN	Ban concerned over North's satellite launch

Source: Global Times-Agencies

GT editorial & commentary:

Why China can't persuade N.Korea alone	Quick stop to good progress in N.Korea

After launch flop, N.Korea faces tough choice

The official Korean Central News Agency of North Korea confirmed  Friday that  the country's satellite failed to enter orbit, creating new suspense on the Korean Peninsula. Will North Korea risk a third nuclear test to save face or is there an opportunity for it to return to the table at the Six-Party Talks?

Elections dampen impact of NK launch

North Korea's announcement of its readiness to go ahead with its proposed long-range rocket launch has sparked immediate condemnation from the US, South Korea and Japan.

Launch unlikely to drastically alter Korean affairs

North Korea announced Friday that it will launch a rocket carrying a "Kwangmyongsong-3" earth observation satellite in mid-April to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of its founding leader Kim II-Sung.

Conciliatory moves of North Korea's launch ignored

Earlier this month, North Korea announced its intent to conduct a space launch in mid April to coincide with the centennial celebrations of the birthday of late founding leader Kim il-sung.

Voices:

Voices From Experts

 We can't rule out the possibility that North Korea is using this launch for weapon tests, but compared with previous launches, Pyongyang announced the plan one month in advance rather than doing it secretly. It also said it would invite foreign experts and journalists to watch the launch, so I think it's not that aggressive,

--Lü Chao, a researcher with the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences

Source: Global Times

Voices from the Internet

@a Web user of the huanqiu.com: Every country has the right to use outer space (for peaceful purposes), and other countries have no right to comment on it.
@亓元开:The US and North Korea reached an agreement 16 days ago that Washington would provide food for Pyongyang on condition that the latter promised not to conduct nuclear testing. But now Pyongyang has announced it will launch a satellite, which has caused the US to declare it will not provide aid to the country. Launching a satellite isn't a joke, and this technology is the core for strategic missiles. Nuclear weapons and strategic missiles in Pyongyang mean much to the US.

Source: Globaltimes.cn

The impact on the food aid project: