前美国国家安全委员会亚洲事务主任维克多·查说，朝鲜最近宣布的将卫星发射进入轨道的计划将违反与美国达成的暂停弹道导弹试验的协议。维克多·查 说，朝鲜政府上个月同意中止导弹试验时，这项协议“明显”也包括了暂停卫星发射。维克多·查说，朝鲜是唯一一个把卫星发射和弹道导弹试验区分开的国家，他 称朝鲜的宣布是对国际社会的侮辱。
朝鲜星期五说，将在四月中旬“为了和平的科学目的”将一枚卫星发射进入轨道。朝鲜说，卫星发射没有违反与美国的协议。朝鲜上个月同意中止铀浓缩，允许联合国武器检查员返回朝鲜，并停止远程导弹试验。与此同时，美国同意向朝鲜运送该国急需的食品援助。
A former senior White House aide on Asia policy says North Korea's recently announced plan to launch a satellite into orbit would violate an agreement with the U.S. on the suspension of ballistic missile testing. Victor Cha, the former director of the National Security Council for Asian Affairs, says when Pyongyang agreed last month to suspend missile tests, that "clearly" included a moratorium on satellite launches, as well. Cha said North Korea was the only country that makes a distinction between satellite launches and ballistic missile tests, calling the announcement a "slap in the face" to the international community.
North Korea said on Friday it would launch a satellite into orbit in mid-April for "peaceful scientific purposes." It says the launch does not violate the agreement with the United States. Last month, North Korea agreed to suspend uranium enrichmen, and allow the return of United Nations weapons inspectors and stop long-range missile tests. At the same time, the United States agreed to send North Korea desperately needed food aid.