North Korea slams US for suspecting its satellite programme

North Korea on Friday lashed out at the US and other "hostile forces" for suspecting ulterior motives behind Pyongyang's satellite programme after a new satellite control and command centre was completed for space research.

North Korea's National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) issued a statement denying allegations that the capability of launching satellites means the capability of controlling nuclear delivery and that Pyongyang uses its satellite programme as "a card for negotiations with the United States", Xinhua news agency reported

"No one... should misinterpret the entirely just space development of the DPRK (North Korea) and float wild rumours about it," the statement said.

"It is the invariable stand of the DPRK to continue launching satellites... for peaceful purposes in the designated place when necessary," the statement said, adding that Norh Korea has the independent right to launch satellites by its own effort and technology.

It stressed that the status of North Korea as a satellite manufacturer and launcher will never change "whether it is recognized or not" and that Pyongyang's space development plan would not be abandoned because of others' opposition.

The country's top leader Kim Jong-un recently inspected NADA's newly-built General Satellite Control and Command Centre, calling for making all of the centre's facilities more scientific and modern to fully ensure the manufacture, launch and control of working satellites.

The newly completed satellite control centre has aroused concerns among Washington and its allies that Pyongyang was preparing to soon launch ballistic missiles.