PYONGYANG - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said Tuesday that it would never give up its planned satellite launch which is for peaceful purposes.

A DPRK Foreign Ministry spokesman, answering a question from the country's official KCNA news agency, said the United States should not apply a double standard to the DPRK's satellite launch.

The spokesman said the DPRK will not give up the planned lunch of Satellite Kwangmyongsong-3, which he said is a "legitimate right of a sovereign state and requirement essential for its economic development."

The spokesman also said US President Barack Obama's assertion that the DPRK's satellite launch would constitute a "provocation threatening international peace and security" reflects the US conception of "confrontation" and "hostility" toward the DPRK.

"It is the behests of leader Kim Jong Il to launch a working satellite to mark the 100th birth anniversary of President Kim Il-sung," he said, adding that it has been planned long ago.

The DPRK said on February 29 that it would suspend nuclear tests, long-range missile launches and uranium enrichment activities as part of an agreement made with the United States, and the latter agreed to provide food aid to the DPRK.

However, Obama said at the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit that it would be difficult for the US to provide food aid if Pyongyang launches its "long-range rocket."

The DPRK's stand on implementing the agreement remains unchanged, he said, adding: "There is no reason or need to launch a long-range missile at this time."

The DPRK has invited foreign experts and journalists to observe the satellite launch to prove it is for the peaceful use of space, "irrelevant to any military purpose," he said.

Pyongyang has said "the satellite launch is not included in the long-range missile launch" covered by the February 29 DPRK-US agreement.

The DPRK announced on March 16 that it would launch an "earth observation" satellite from a station in North Phyongan province between April 12 and 16, which has raised deep concern from the international community.

China has urged all relevant sides to keep calm and make joint efforts for an appropriate handling of the current situation.