N.Korea fetes scientists behind latest missile launch

North Korea has feted the scientists and technicians behind its latest missile launch with a parade on the streets of Pyongyang, the state news agency reported on Friday.

Thousands of citizens gathered on Thursday to cheer on the scientists over the successful launch of Hwasong 12, the medium-range missile fired on Sunday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

"Streets of the capital city of Pyongyang were full of festive atmosphere to greet the scientists of national defence," it added.

Adults, students and children cheered at a convoy of buses carrying the scientists to Mansu Hill, where they offered flowers to the statues of former leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il before being greeted by the vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Ri Man-gon, Efe news reported.

North Korea on Sunday launched the Hwasong-12, the projectile that has shown the best performance so far aside from its space rockets, in what the international community suspects to have been a covert missiles test.

The missile traveled almost 800 km and may have exceeded 4,000 km if it had been launched at a more perpendicular angle, according to experts.

This data underlines the progress made by Pyongyang in its efforts to develop an intercontinental nuclear missile in the future that can reach the US and serve as a deterrent.

--IANS

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