North Korea used a long-range rocket to launch a satellite into space on Sunday, sparking strong condemnation from the United Nations Security Council, which called the rocket launch a violation of multiple U.N. resolutions and moved quickly to impose new sanctions, reported AFP.
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“The members of the Security Council underscore this launch as well as any other DPRK launch that use ballistic missile technology even if characterized as a satellite launch or a space launch vehicle contribute to the DPRK’s nuclear weapon delivery system and is a serious violation of the Security Council resolutions”, he said.
“As with the fourth nuclear test by North Korea on 6th of January, this launch constitutes once again a total disregard to regional and worldwide security and stability”, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.
South Korea had warned that North Korea would pay a “grave price” if the launch proceeded.
In a statement, North Korea’s National Aerospace Development Administration, in typical propaganda-laden language, praised “the fascinating vapour of Juche satellite trailing in the clear and blue sky in spring of February on the threshold of the Day of the Shining Star”.
Bipartisan lawmakers in Japan will convene on Tuesday and are widely expected to adopt a resolution protesting the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) launch of a long range rocket on Sunday.
North Korea said its intention was to put a satellite into orbit, but the United States and its allies believe it was a cover for a test of a ballistic missile that could carry a nuclear warhead.
At the United Nations, the USA, backed by its allies, Japan and South Korea, wants tough sanctions reflecting Kim’s defiance of the Security Council. Japanese chief Cabinet spokesman Yoshihide Suga told reporters that no debris fell on Japanese territory.
“The Australian Government joins with the worldwide community in condemning North Korea’s provocative, risky and destabilising behaviour”, Ms Bishop said.
While infuriated by North Korea’s refusal to curb its nuclear ambitions, China’s overriding concern is avoiding a collapse of the regime in Pyongyang and the possibility of a US-allied unified Korea on its border.
Dec 2012: North Korea launches multi-stage rocket and successfully places an Earth observational satellite in orbit.
Still, the North’s nuclear tests and steadily improving long-range rocket launches push its nuclear aims further along. Under U.N. Security Council resolutions, the country is banned from testing long-range missiles or nuclear weapons.
The Security Council’s response will ultimately come down to the possibility of a common understanding between the United States and China on the appropriate response to the missile launch.
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In a special state TV broadcast, a female North Korean announcer, wearing a traditional Korean hanbok dress, hailed the “epochal” launch, personally ordered by leader Kim Jong-Un. One diplomat told Reuters that Washington was hoping to tighten global restrictions on North Korea’s banking system, while Beijing was reluctant to support that for fear of worsening conditions in its impoverished neighbor. “China is not happy to constantly support North Korea but for its national security, it has no choice”.
