North Korea says it plans to launch many more satellites

UNITED NATIONS – North Korea's deputy UN ambassador said Tuesday the country plans to launch many more satellites and accused the United States of trying to block its efforts to help peacefully develop outer space.

Kim In Ryong told a UN General Assembly committee meeting on "International Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space" that the country's five-year plan for 2016-2020 includes development of "practical satellites that can contribute to the economic development and improvement of the people's living."

As a party to several space treaties, North Korea's space development activities are "all ground on legal basis in all aspects," Kim said.

But he said the United States is "going frantic to illegalize our development of outer space," claiming the effort violates UN sanctions.