THAAD is the U.S.-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system created to intercept and destroy short, medium and intermediate ballistic missiles in flight.
Advertisement
Shortly after its long-range missile launch, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held an emergency meeting, in which they “strongly” and unanimously condemned its act and restated their intent to develop significant new sanctions against North Korea.
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power said a new U.N. resolution targeting North Korea over its rocket launch and recent nuclear test must be adopted very quickly and include “unprecedented measures” that its leader, Kim Jong Un, doesn’t expect.
In response, Obama stressed the importance of a resolution to impose sanctions on North Korea, saying that North Korea’s missile launch and nuclear test are provocations and violate Security Council resolutions.
In an interview aired on Monday, Obama told CBS he was not surprised at the launch, adding: “We have been concerned about North Korea’s behaviour for a while”.
A metal object believed to be a part of North Korean long range rocket launched Sunday is seen in this undated handout picture provided by South Korean Defense Ministry and released Tuesday by Yonhap news agency.
Turkey joined with the global community to swiftly condemn North Korea’s launch of a long-range rocket in violation of the country’s worldwide obligations.
Archival photo of North Korea’s satellite launch in 2012.
North Korea launched a rocket (containing a satellite) into space.
But they also highlight the inherent dangers of disunity in dealing with North Korea’s growing military threat, and could presage an arms buildup if China feels threatened by the roll-out.
Last month North Korea also carried out its fourth test of a nuclear bomb.
Answering a question on whether China expressed concerns over the THAAD system, Cook said: “I’m not aware of any direct communication we’ve received from the Chinese here at the Department of Defense”.
Advertisement
One diplomat told Reuters that Washington was hoping to tighten worldwide restrictions on North Korea’s banking system, while Beijing was reluctant to support that step for fear of worsening conditions in its impoverished neighbor.
