SEOUL - South Korean media are reporting that North Korea has apparently missed its first opportunity for the controversial launch of what Pyongyang says is a communications satellite.

Reports from Seoul quote officials and meteorologists who say strong winds and bad weather conditions Saturday are believed to have kept North Korea from going ahead with the launch.

However, Pyongyang has four more days to fulfill its promise of sending the rocket into space.  North Korea has said it will launch the rocket sometime between Saturday and Wednesday, in the late morning to early afternoon (between 0200 and 0700 UTC).

North Korea says it has finished preparations and the launch will be held soon.  

Pyongyang’s neighbors and the United States believe the satellite launch is actually being used as a test of the country’s long-range ballistic missile capability, as the technology for both is similar. 

The rocket is expected to sail over Japanese territory.  Tokyo has deployed land-to-air missile interceptors in case any debris falls over the country.

North Korea’s military has warned it will attack the interceptors and key Japanese facilities if Tokyo tries to take the rocket down.  

The U.S., South Korea and Japan have urged North Korea not to go ahead with the launch, warning that Pyongyang will face consequences.

U.S. envoy Stephen Bosworth said Friday that a missile launch would be a provocation, and a violation of the U.N. Security Council resolution approved after North Korea’s 2006 nuclear test.

North Korea has threatened to quit international negotiations on its nuclear program if the U.N. imposes new sanctions after a rocket launch. 

Source:  VOA News