Photo released by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on April 7, 2012 shows journalists who were invited to report the launching of satellite, take a group photo in Pyongyang, capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The DPRK has said it would launch the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite between April 12 and 16 to celebrate the centenary of the birth of its late leader Kim Il Sung (1912-1994). [Xinhua/KCNA] |
Some 30 foreign reporters from around the world are in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) capital to cover the country's satellite launch, the official news agency KCNA reported Saturday.
According to the report, a total of 21 foreign media, including major world wire services and television broadcasters such as the AP, CNN and NBC of the United States, Channel One (the First Channel TV) of Russia, Kyodo News Agency and NHK of Japan, AFP of France, and Reuters and BBC of Britain, have sent reporters to Pyongyang.
Also on Saturday, Pyongyang bureaus of Xinhua and other foreign media received an invitation to attend authorities-organized activities relating to the launch on Sunday, but no further details were revealed.
The DPRK announced on March 16 it would launch the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite between April 12 and 16 to mark the 100th birthday of late leader Kim Il-Sung.
The "earth observation" satellite, to be carried by a long-range Unha-3 rocket, will be launched south of Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province, the KCNA reported.
On March 17, the Korean Committee for Space Technology (KCST) extended invitations for foreign experts and journalists to visit the "Sohae" Satellite Launching Station, the General Satellite Control and Command Center and other places and observe the launch.
Xinhua contributed to the story.