No signal was detected from the object North Korea launched into space in 2012. He was quick to emphasise, however, that the North has yet to master key technology needed to turn the rocket into an inter-continental ballistic missile, which would require a re-entry vehicle to protect the warhead from heat.
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A rocket launched on Sunday by North Korea – described as an observation satellite but feared by the worldwide community to be a ballistic missile – caused an immediate UN Security Council meeting and put North Korea’s traditional supporters in a hard spot.
The two leaders chose to cooperate for the adoption of the most powerful and effective United Nations resolution possible that would aim to make the North pay for carrying out the latest provocations.
UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon has called Pyongyang’s actions “deplorable”.
In line with this commitment and the gravity of this most recent violation, the members of the Security Council will adopt expeditiously a new Security Council resolution with such measures in response to these unsafe and serious violations, the statement said.
At the United Nations, the US, backed by its allies, Japan and South Korea, wants tough sanctions reflecting Kim’s defiance of the Security Council.
South Korea’s President says the Security council needs to respond quickly with what she calls ‘strong punitive measures’. Seoul, which hosts 28,500 USA forces, has been reluctant to initiate talks on the system that could hurt its improving relations with Beijing.
Al Jazeera’s Harry Fawcett reports from the South Korean capital, Seoul.
South Korea said the launch resembled the one in 2012: The shape of the rockets was similar, as were the locations where the first and second stages splashed into the sea. Many countries including the United States and South Korea have sought fresh sanctions since the nuclear test on January 6.
From North Korea’s perspective, blowing up some of the evidence makes sense.
After the launch of “Kwangmyongsong 4”, North Korean state media displayed the handwritten launch order by Kim Jong Un and even showed Kim Jong Un in attendance at the Dongchang-ri launch site.
The reported act was branded as a “dangerous and serious violation” by the U.N. Security Council.
The US is leading a drive to exert military pressure on North Korea in response to Pyongyang’s satellite launch which could escalate regional tension.
“Instead of curbing North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, we get an arms build-up instead”, he added. But if they have both of them, that means they can attack any target on Earth.
In a statement, North Korea’s National Aerospace Development Administration, in typical propaganda-laden language, praised “the fascinating vapor of Juche satellite trailing in the clear and blue sky in spring of February on the threshold of the Day of the Shining Star. So it becomes a global issue”, said Kwon Sejin, a professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
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The North is thought to have a small arsenal of crude atomic bombs and an impressive array of short- and medium-range missiles. The country conducted the launch to put its own satellite into orbit.
