North Korea to launch satellites to mark party anniversary

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea says it will launch satellites aboard long-range rockets to mark the 70th anniversary of its ruling party's founding next month.

A National Aerospace Development Administration director says the world will "clearly see a series of satellites soaring into the sky at times and locations determined" by the Workers' Party.

The unidentified official's comments were carried by Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency late Monday.

The official says North Korea is pushing forward on a final development phase for a new earth observation satellite for weather forecasts.

The launches, if made, are certain to rekindle animosities on the Korean Peninsula. South Korea, the U.S. and other neighboring countries see past launches as disguised tests of the North's long-range missile technology.