April 12 is International Day of Human Space Flight.

On April 12, 1961 Yuri Gagarin, an astronaut of the former Soviet Union, was carried into outer space by spacecraft Vostok. During the 108-minute flight the spacecraft travelled around the Earth and performed a successful re-entry into the atmosphere. Thus, mankind realized its long-cherished dream of space flight, and space science and technology entered a new stage of development.

The 65th session of the UN General Assembly held on April 7, 2011 celebrated the 50th anniversary of the human space flight and adopted a resolution on commemorating April 12 every year as International Day of Human Space Flight.

Around the day every year countries hold such events as photo exhibition, symposium and publication of commemorative stamps.

Many countries launch satellites of different purposes as the space, which brings staggering benefits to mankind, can only be developed and used through satellites and other space probes.

So far a remarkable progress has been made in various fields such as satellite-carrying technology, new-type satellite development, human space flight and exploration in outer space.

In conformity with the global trend of space development and the international treaty which defines the peaceful use of outer space as a right of a sovereign state, the DPRK is pushing its space programme amid nationwide and public concern and expectation.

The country has since long ago successfully launched test and application satellites which it made entirely by its own efforts, technology and materials, thereby laying a reliable foundation for space conquest.

On April 1, 2013 it established the National Aerospace Technology Administration and adopted the law on space exploitation, providing a guarantee for promoting space conquest more vigorously.

Besides, it founded the National Non-permanent Space Science and Technology Committee and the Korea Space Association embracing scientists, technicians, university teachers and researchers in the sector of space technology application and encourages wide-ranging academic research and exchanges to promote space development and use.

The national symposium on space science and technology is held on a regular basis under the sponsorship of the Central Committee of the General Federation of Science and Technology of Korea, and valuable papers concerning the development, control, observation and communications technology of artificial earth satellites are presented to make contribution to the development of space science and technology in the country.

The achievements made in space science and technology are actively promoting the economic development of the country and widely applied to different cultural sectors including science, education and public health.

Pak Chol