North Korea on Sunday celebrated the 10th anniversary of test-firing its Taepodong-1 long-range missile, which it claims to be the country's first satellite rocket launch.
The official Radio Pyongyang, monitored by Yonhap news agency, said in a boastful commentary that the North built "purely self-developed" rocket technology and could repeat the launch anytime it wants.
"Our country's technology has advanced to the level where we can freely launch a working satellite at any time," Radio Pyongyang said.
After the test-firing the North claimed it had successfully put its first satellite, called "Kwangmyongsong," into orbit.
But the launch, which went ahead without any prior notice, sparked alarm especially in Japan, as the rocket flew over the archipelago into the Pacific.
The launch prompted Tokyo and Washington to start work on an advanced missile shield.
Radio Pyongyang quoted a North Korean scientist as saying Sunday the communist country would continue to put more satellites into orbit under the name of "Kwangmyoungsong," according to Yonhap.
In July 2006, North Korea test-fired seven missiles, including a more advanced Taepodong-2, which in theory could reach the US west coast. Those launches brought UN condemnation and missile-related sanctions.
But Washington said the Taepodong-2 test failed.
