North Korea says it has begun fuelling its rocket ahead of a planned - widely criticised - launch later this week.

朝鲜宣布已经向火箭注入燃料，该火箭将于本周末发射——此次发射受到广泛批评。

North Korea says the rocket, scheduled for launch between 12-16 April, will put a satellite into orbit
Paek Chang-ho, head of the satellite control centre of the Korean Committee of Space Technology, said fuel was being injected "as we speak".

He did not confirm the exact timing¹ of the launch, but it is expected between 12-16 April.

Pyongyang says the rocket will launch a satellite, but critics fear it is a test of long-range missile technology.

The launch will mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of the country's late leader Kim Il-sung.

"We are injecting fuel as we speak. It has started," Mr Paek told visiting foreign journalists outside the capital, Pyongyang.

"And as for the exact timing of the launch, it will be decided² by my superiors."

The journalists were taken on Sunday to the Sohae satellite station at Tongchang-ri, on the country's north-west coast, to see the final preparations.

Strong opposition³

Neighbouring countries that may be in the rocket's path have made preparations. South Korea and Japan have said they will shoot down the rocket if it threatens their territory, and the Philippines has re-routed air and sea traffic.

South Korea has also warned the North it risks further isolation⁴ if it goes ahead.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday that if the North wanted a "peaceful, better future" for its people it should not launch the rocket, calling the move a direct threat to regional security.

Pyongyang agreed in February to a partial freeze in nuclear activities and a missile test moratorium⁵（暂停，中止） in return for US food aid. But that deal was put on hold last month after the North announced its rocket launch plans.

Aside from the launch, the North has festivities planned to commemorate⁶ Kim Il-sung on Sunday.

The Korean Worker's Party meeting, where the North's leader Kim Jong-un is expected to be formally installed as secretary-general, is scheduled to take place on Wednesday.

An annual session of its parliament is also scheduled for Friday.