The rocket for Pyongyang's planned satellite launch later this month has been installed on the launch pad, Xinhua correspondents saw at the launch site Sunday.

Some 70 reporters from Xinhua and other foreign media were invited to the Sohae Satellite Launching Station in the northwest of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) for a visit.

Jang Myung Jin, who is in charge of the launching station, told reporters that the three-stage Unha-3 rocket, which will carry the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite into space, has been assembled but not yet fueled.

Xinhua reporters saw that some technicians were working at the middle and bottom sections of the towering launch pad and the DPRK's flag has been emblazoned on the rocket together with the rocket's name.

The Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite, with a height of 30 meters and a diameter of 2.4 meters, weighs 91 tons and has an original driving force of 120 tons, the official said.

During the five-hour trip to the site, located in Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province, the reporters also visited the General Satellite Control and Command Center and some other facilities.

The DPRK last month announced its plan to launch the "earth observation" satellite between April 12 and 16 to mark the 100th birthday of late leader Kim Il Sung, which has triggered global concerns.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet