PYONGYANG - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) would invite international observers to monitor the launch of its new satellite, a report by the official news agency KCNA said Saturday.

The Korean Committee for Space Technology (KCST) would "invite experienced foreign experts on space science and technology and journalists to visit the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, the General Satellite Control and Command Center and other places to observe its launch," the report said.

The report said the DPRK had informed the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Maritime Organization, the International Telecommunication Union and others in line with international procedures.

The DPRK announced Friday it would launch an "earth observation" satellite, or the Kwangmyongsong-3, using a long-range Unha-3 rocket to mark the 100th birthday of late leader Kim Il-sung.

The satellite will be launched south of Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province, between April 12 and 16, the KCNA reported.

A KCST spokesman said Friday the launch was for "peaceful purposes" and would "strictly abide by relevant international regulations."

China on Friday voiced its concern over the launch plan, saying it was the common obligation, and in common interests, of all parties concerned to maintain the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and northeast Asia, according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

"We sincerely hope parties concerned stay calm and exercise restraint and avoid escalation of tension that may lead to a more complicated situation," Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun was quoted by the statement as saying when meeting with DPRK ambassador to China, Ji Jae Ryong, on Friday.