SEOUL - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has completed placing all three stages of its long- range rocket into position for a controversial satellite launch, Yonhap news agency reported Wednesday.

The installation of the rocket on the launch pad in Tongchang- ri in the DPRK's far northwest is believed to have been finished, the Repulic of Korean government source told Yonhap news agency. "Some workers are pulling out of the site,"the source said.

The DPRK announced on Saturday that it plans to launch a working satellite using a three-stage rocket between Dec 10 and 22.

The Repbulic of Korea, which sees the move as a disguised attempt to develop a long-range ballistic missile capable of delivering nuclear weapons, called the launch plan a "grave provocation".

The DPRK is now expected to install support equipment, such as radar and cameras, according to Yonhap.  The rocket is likely to be launched between Dec 10 and 12 after fueling takes place over the weekend, it said.  This would be the DPRK's second launch attempt. The previous one in April ended in failure.