N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

PYONYGYANG, North Korea - Ryu Gum Chol, deputy head of the Korean Committee for Space Technology's Bureau for Space Development, speaks during a press conference at a hotel in Pyongyang on April 10, 2012. Senior officials of the Korean Committee for Space Technology, an organization listed under the North Korean Cabinet, said Pyongyang has completed preparations for the launch of what it describes as an Earth observation satellite and reiterated that the launch is for peaceful purposes.

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

PYONYGYANG, North Korea - Ryu Gum Chol (front), deputy head of the Korean Committee for Space Technology's Bureau for Space Development, attends a press conference at a hotel in Pyongyang on April 10, 2012. Senior officials of the Korean Committee for Space Technology, an organization listed under the North Korean Cabinet, said Pyongyang has completed preparations for the launch of what it describes as an Earth observation satellite and reiterated that the launch is for peaceful purposes.

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

PYONYGYANG, North Korea - Ryu Gum Chol, deputy head of the Korean Committee for Space Technology's Bureau for Space Development, speaks during a press conference at a hotel in Pyongyang on April 10, 2012. Senior officials of the Korean Committee for Space Technology, an organization listed under the North Korean Cabinet, said Pyongyang has completed preparations for the launch of what it describes as an Earth observation satellite and reiterated that the launch is for peaceful purposes.

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

PYONYGYANG, North Korea - Ryu Gum Chol, deputy head of the Korean Committee for Space Technology's Bureau for Space Development, speaks during a press conference at a hotel in Pyongyang on April 10, 2012. Senior officials of the Korean Committee for Space Technology, an organization listed under the North Korean Cabinet, said Pyongyang has completed preparations for the launch of what it describes as an Earth observation satellite and reiterated that the launch is for peaceful purposes.

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

PYONYGYANG, North Korea - Ryu Gum Chol (front), deputy head of the Korean Committee for Space Technology's Bureau for Space Development, attends a press conference at a hotel in Pyongyang on April 10, 2012. Senior officials of the Korean Committee for Space Technology, an organization listed under the North Korean Cabinet, said Pyongyang has completed preparations for the launch of what it describes as an Earth observation satellite and reiterated that the launch is for peaceful purposes.

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

PYONYGYANG, North Korea - Ryu Gum Chol, deputy head of the Korean Committee for Space Technology's Bureau for Space Development, speaks during a press conference at a hotel in Pyongyang on April 10, 2012. Senior officials of the Korean Committee for Space Technology, an organization listed under the North Korean Cabinet, said Pyongyang has completed preparations for the launch of what it describes as an Earth observation satellite and reiterated that the launch is for peaceful purposes.

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

PYONYGYANG, North Korea - Ryu Gum Chol, deputy head of the Korean Committee for Space Technology's Bureau for Space Development, speaks during a press conference at a hotel in Pyongyang on April 10, 2012. Senior officials of the Korean Committee for Space Technology, an organization listed under the North Korean Cabinet, said Pyongyang has completed preparations for the launch of what it describes as an Earth observation satellite and reiterated that the launch is for peaceful purposes. (Kyodo)

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

PYONYGYANG, North Korea - Ryu Gum Chol (front), deputy head of the Korean Committee for Space Technology's Bureau for Space Development, attends a press conference at a hotel in Pyongyang on April 10, 2012. Senior officials of the Korean Committee for Space Technology, an organization listed under the North Korean Cabinet, said Pyongyang has completed preparations for the launch of what it describes as an Earth observation satellite and reiterated that the launch is for peaceful purposes. (Kyodo)

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

PYONYGYANG, North Korea - Ryu Gum Chol, deputy head of the Korean Committee for Space Technology's Bureau for Space Development, speaks during a press conference at a hotel in Pyongyang on April 10, 2012. Senior officials of the Korean Committee for Space Technology, an organization listed under the North Korean Cabinet, said Pyongyang has completed preparations for the launch of what it describes as an Earth observation satellite and reiterated that the launch is for peaceful purposes. (Kyodo)

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

PYONYGYANG, North Korea - Ryu Gum Chol, deputy head of the Korean Committee for Space Technology's Bureau for Space Development, speaks during a press conference at a hotel in Pyongyang on April 10, 2012. Senior officials of the Korean Committee for Space Technology, an organization listed under the North Korean Cabinet, said Pyongyang has completed preparations for the launch of what it describes as an Earth observation satellite and reiterated that the launch is for peaceful purposes. (Kyodo)

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

PYONYGYANG, North Korea - Ryu Gum Chol (front), deputy head of the Korean Committee for Space Technology's Bureau for Space Development, attends a press conference at a hotel in Pyongyang on April 10, 2012. Senior officials of the Korean Committee for Space Technology, an organization listed under the North Korean Cabinet, said Pyongyang has completed preparations for the launch of what it describes as an Earth observation satellite and reiterated that the launch is for peaceful purposes. (Kyodo)

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

N. Korea says preparations for satellite launch completed

PYONYGYANG, North Korea - Ryu Gum Chol, deputy head of the Korean Committee for Space Technology's Bureau for Space Development, speaks during a press conference at a hotel in Pyongyang on April 10, 2012. Senior officials of the Korean Committee for Space Technology, an organization listed under the North Korean Cabinet, said Pyongyang has completed preparations for the launch of what it describes as an Earth observation satellite and reiterated that the launch is for peaceful purposes. (Kyodo)