North Korean media hailed Wednesday for the second time this week the 1998 launch of a missile over Japan, stoking concern that Pyongyang plans a new long-range launch. State radio, in a daily commentary monitored by Tokyo-based service Radiopress, praised the firing of the Taepodong-1 missile into the Pacific Ocean eight years ago as a feat of science.
"The artificial satellite 'Kwangmyongsong-1', crystallization of state-of-art scientific technology, was successfully launched thanks to our great leader's thoughts, which turn heavily to science, and his sensible leadership," said the radio, according to Radiopress.
Kwangmyongsong means "bright star" and refers to leader Kim Jong-Il. North Korea had referred to the 1998 missile test as a satellite launch.
The commentary did not mention the possible firing of a Taepodong-2, which the United States and Japan fear could occur at any time.
The official Korean Central News Agency released similar commentary on Monday.
The latest radio broadcast said Kim will "devote the force of the nation to develop science and technology because it is important for the prosperity of the people."
"We need to swiftly develop the nation's science and technology to meet the needs of our present day development," it said.
The multi-stage Taepodong-2 is believed to have a range of up to 6,700 kilometers (4,200 miles), far enough to hit targets in Alaska and possibly Hawaii.
