“North Korea’s missile and nuclear weapons programs represent serious threats to our interests including the security of some of our closest allies and undermine peace and security in the broader region”, she said in a statement.
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North Korea’s launch of a “satellite” using a long-range rocket, despite United Nations’ sanctions that prevent the country from using ballistic missile technology, has caused anger and outrage.
U.N. Security Council held emergency meetings today to discuss the situation after Japan, South Korea, the USA and the United Kingdom all criticised the launch.
A day after Pyongyang’s controversial rocket launch, South Korea fired warnings shots at a patrol boat from North Korea’s navy that briefly crossed into South Korean territorial waters.
US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power said Washington would “ensure that the Security Council imposes serious consequences” on Pyongyang.
The U.S. says the highly advanced Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system would be a deterrent necessitated by the North’s advancing ballistic missile programme. China is North Korea’s main ally but it disapproves of its nuclear weapons program.
China expressed regret over the launch and called on all sides to act cautiously and refrain from steps that might raise tension.
“As the news aired, crowds in Pyongyang cheered and applauded as they watched the news of the launch, which was displayed on large screens at different places around the capital”.
“The members of the Security Council restated their intent to develop significant measures in a new Security Council resolution”, said the statement.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon denounced North Korea’s satellite launch and asked them to halt their provocative actions.
The launch follows North Korea’s widely disputedclaim last month to have tested a hydrogen bomb.
“The National Aerospace Development Administration of the DPRK will in the future, too, launch more satellites of Juche into the space, true to the great Workers’ Party of Korea’s policy of attaching importance to science and technology”, it said. Diplomats were also pushing to tighten United Nations sanctions because of the North’s January 6 nuclear test. “China’s position has been that talks should resume with both North Korea and the U.S.at the table”, Elise explains.
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The rocket was launched from a facility in northwestern North Korea, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported, citing the South Korean military. The U.N. condemns Eastern nation for their actions.
