PHNOM PENH, Feb. 5 (FN) — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday expressed his concern over a plan of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to launch a satellite later this month.

Addressing nearly 5,000 fresh graduates from the National University of Management, the premier said DPRK's repeated launching of missiles and its forthcoming satellite launch plan were causing a security concern for Asia.

"This is a difficult problem that is bringing Asia to difficult situation," he said.

A United Nations spokesperson said Tuesday that three UN organizations have been informed by the DPRK of its plans to launch an Earth-observation satellite between Feb. 8 and 25.

South Korea and Japan condemned this plan Wednesday on suspicion that Pyongyang was in fact intending to test a long-range ballistic missile.

Also on Wednesday, China expressed its serious concern about the plan and said it hoped the DPRK would exercise restraint and deal with the issue prudently so as to avoid a possible escalation of tension.
= FRESH NEWS