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SEOUL: North Korea said on Monday its leader Kim Jong-Il was present at its controversial rocket launch and praised scientists after watching the satellite propelled into orbit.
Kim was briefed on preparations for the launch before observing the entire process from the command centre, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
"Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, visited the General Satellite Control and Command Centre to watch the process of launching the experimental communications satellite Kwangmyongsong-2 on Sunday," the agency said.
The North says it launched the satellite as part of a peaceful space programme. The US military has disputed the claim that the satellite made it into space, saying "the payload itself landed in the Pacific Ocean".
KCNA said the three-stage rocket was launched at 11:20 am (0220 GMT), 10 minutes earlier than the time given by South Korea.
"It was smoothly and accurately put into its orbit nine minutes and two seconds after being completely separated from the carrier rocket," it added.
KCNA said Kim, accompanied by party officials, met the scientists and technicians behind the launch and "warmly encouraged them" before having his photograph taken with them.
The launch defied months of pressure from the United States and its allies over what they said was an illegal missile test. - AFP/de
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