Despite the failure of its attempted missile launch, North Korea’s provocative action threatens regional security, violates international law and contravenes its own recent commitments. While this action is not surprising given North Korea’s pattern of aggressive behavior, any missile activity by North Korea is of concern to the international community. The United States remains vigilant in the face of North Korean provocations, and is fully committed to the security our allies in the region.
The President has been clear that he is prepared to engage constructively with North Korea. However, he has also insisted that North Korea live up to its own commitments, adhere to its international obligations and deal peacefully with its neighbors.
North Korea is only further isolating itself by engaging in provocative acts, and is wasting its money on weapons and propaganda displays while the North Korean people go hungry. North Korea’s long-standing development of missiles and pursuit of nuclear weapons have not brought it security – and never will. North Korea will only show strength and find security by abiding by international law, living up to its obligations, and by working to feed its citizens, to educate its children, and to win the trust of its neighbors.
» One good thing that came out of this: The photos that Western journalists got this week at the very least gave us an interesting view into an area of the world that few have ever seen.
North Korea on Friday launched its controversial rocket carrying a weather satellite, South Korea’s Defense Ministry and U.S. officials said.
A spokesman for the Defense Ministry in Seoul told reporters at a briefing that the launch at taken place at 0739 local time (2239 GMT) and that South Korea and the United States were checking whether it had been a success.
Today in countries awkwardly trying to prove their mojo, failing.
The rocket, named Unha-3 and emblazoned with a North Korean flag, was based on the same technology as the long-range Taepodong missile that the country is developing, which has triggered accusations that North Korea is in actually conducting a weapons test.
Since 1998, Pyongyang has conducted three previous long-range launches but has not succeeded in sending a satellite into orbit, although it has claimed otherwise.
Today’s launch will be closely analyzed to determine how far North Korea has advanced its technological prowess.
“If they actually are successful, they can in theory deliver a weapon with a range sufficient to reach the United States,” said Scott Snyder, an analyst from the Washington-based Council on Foreign Relations.
So, where does this put North Korea’s technological prowess, anyway?
No word on how the rocket failed yet, just that North Korea’s rocket failed, according to ABC News.
EDIT: ABC’s David Muir reporting that the rocket fell apart. (ht Socratescloset on this one)
EDIT 2: CNN’s Barbara Starr reports that the rocket got off the launchpad but broke apart during the flight. (via @AntDeRosa)
The White House will have a statement shortly, according to NBC News.
EDIT: South Korea also confirms the launch, according to AP.
EDIT 2: ABC News reporting that the rocket appears to have failed, according to U.S. officials.
Ahead of the launch of a controversial rocket later this month, the North Korean government allowed a group of foreign journalists to tour the North Korean countryside on train Sunday, in a trip intended to show off the rocket, which recently got put onto its launchpad. Here’s what they saw. (AP photos)
Obama to North Korea: Don’t launch that rocket, guys: “Bad behavior will not be rewarded,” Obama said after speaking to South Korean leader Lee Myung-bak, right. North Korea plans to launch a long-range rocket next month to remember the 100th birthday of its founder, Kim Il-sung. source
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