SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has completed placing the second stage of its three-stage, long-range rocket into position and is installing the third stage on its launch pad, a government source said Tuesday, in the latest indication Pyongyang will push ahead with the launch in defiance of international warnings.

   "North Korea completed installing the second-stage rocket into position and appears to be working to place the third stage in position," the source said on condition of anonymity.

   It will take one or two days for North Korean scientists to erect all three stages of the long-range rocket, according to the source.

   North Korea announced Saturday it will launch a long-range rocket between Dec. 10 and 22 to put what it calls a "working satellite" into orbit, with much of the world suspecting it is in reality testing intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

   The planned launch will be the North's second launch attempt under current leader Kim Jong-un, following a failed launch in April. The young leader took power following his father's death last December.

   kdh@yna.co.kr
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