PYONGYANG, North Korea -- North Korean space officials are hard at work on a plan to put more advanced satellites into orbit by 2020 and don't intend to stop there: They're also aiming for the moon, and beyond.

A senior official at the North's version of NASA tells The Associated Press that international sanctions won't stop Pyongyang from launching more satellites by 2020, and that he hopes to see the North Korean flag on the moon within 10 years.

Hyon Kwang Il, director of the scientific research department of North Korea's National Aerospace Development Administration, says the country also has long-term plans for manned spaceflight and exploring other planets.

An unmanned, no-frills North Korean moon mission in the not-too-distant future isn't as far-fetched as it might seem. Outside experts say it's ambitious but conceivable.