North Korea Missile Watch - Theo dõi tên lửa Bắc Triều

WONG:
Today's top story... another act of defiance by North Koreas communist regime. A new threat of a possible satellite and missile launch have been announced. It comes despite a strong warning from the U.S. against taking these kinds of measures.

STORY:
North Korea said Tuesday it was preparing a satellite launch, which analysts say may actually be a test of it longest-range missile.

Hiking tensions on the Korean peninsula and spooking Seoul financial markets, the announcement by Pyongyang's KCNA news agency came despite a U.S. warning against provocative moves.

If successful, North Korea would have a missile with a maximum range of 6,700 km, or 4,200 miles, which could be seen as a direct security threat to the U.S.

In the last few weeks, North Korea has said it has the right to develop a peaceful space program, using a multi-stage rocket.

It last tested such a rocket in 2006, when it flew for a few seconds and then blew apart.

Pyongyang has a history of similar brinkmanship at times of heightened regional diplomacy, and the news came as Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso prepared for a U.S. summit with President Barack Obama.

The North has separately threatened to attack South Korea, warning that war is imminent, although analysts do not believe the impoverished nation would risk a larger conflict.