Technical problems delayed launch of North Korean missile, experts say
South Korean experts doubt political pressure played a part in Pyongyang postponing blast-off
Technical problems rather than overseas political pressure were probably behind the delay of a much-criticised rocket launch by Pyongyang, South Korean analysts said yesterday.
Scientists were "now seriously examining the issue of readjusting the launching time of the satellite", the Korean Committee of Space Technology said in a statement carried by state media.
The committee gave no further details.
Analysts said technical problems or snow might have caused the delay in what the North calls a satellite launch, originally scheduled for between today and December 22.
Some said the North's new leader, Kim Jong-un, may have been rushing the blast-off in a bid to mark the first anniversary of the death of his father and ex-ruler Kim Jong-il which falls on December 17.
The impoverished but nuclear-armed nation insists the long-range rocket launch - its second this year after a much-hyped but botched mission in April - is for peaceful scientific purposes.
But the United States, and allies South Korea and Japan, say Pyongyang plans a disguised ballistic missile test that violates UN resolutions triggered by its two nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009.