North Korea says it plans to launch many more satellites

North Korea’s state media released photos Wednesday that appear to show the designs of one or possibly two new missiles. (Photo By Zscout370 – Own work, Public Domain)

North Korea’s state media released photos Wednesday that appear to show the designs of one or possibly two new missiles. (Photo By Zscout370 – Own work, Public Domain)

North Korea’s deputy U.N. ambassador says the country plans to launch many more satellites and is accusing the United States of trying to block its efforts to help achieve the peaceful development of outer space.

Kim In Ryong told a U.N. General Assembly committee meeting Tuesday on “ International Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space” that the country’s five-year plan for 2016-2020 includes development of “practical satellites that can contribute to the economic development and improvement of the people’s living.”

Kim said North Korea is a party to several space treaties and its space development activities are “all ground on legal basis in all aspects.”

But he said the United States is “going frantic to illegalize our development of outer space” by claiming North Korea violates U.N. sanctions.