Chinese President Hu Jintao congratulated Kim Jong-Il on his re-election as leader of North Korea, state media said Saturday, amid widespread international condemnation of Pyongyang’s rocket launch. Hu said in a message that Kim’s re-election on Thursday as chairman of the powerful National Defence Commission is an “expression of sincere support and profound trust”, Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. Full Story : AFP.com
North Korea said Tuesday it is preparing to launch a satellite into orbit, its clearest reference yet to an impending launch. The statement from the North’s space technology agency came amid international concern North Korea is gearing up to fire its most advanced Taepodong-2 missile. North Korea’s last test of its most advanced long-range missile was in 2006, a few months before the nuclear test.