North Korea fired a long-range rocket on Sunday, provoking international outrage and sending the UN Security Council into an emergency meeting on how to react to Pyongyangs defiance.
The reclusive communist state, which has tested a nuclear device and is in stalled six-party talks on ending its nuclear program, said a satellite was launched into orbit and was circling the Earth transmitting revolutionary songs.
The United States and South Korea, which called the launch a violation of UN resolutions, said the Taepodong-2 rocket failed to enter orbit. Analysts said the launch was effectively a test of a ballistic missile designed to carry a warhead as far as the US state of Alaska.
"With this provocative act, North Korea has ignored its international obligations, rejected unequivocal calls for restraint, and further isolated itself from the community of nations," US President Barack Obama said. China, the nearest North Korea has to a major ally, and Russia called on all sides for calm and restraint.
The 15-nation Security Council went into a closed-door session in New York on Sunday afternoon but China and Russia have made clear they will use their veto power to block any resolution imposing new sanctions on Pyongyang. French Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert called on all members, including Russia and China, to unite in criticising Pyongyang.
"We expect the council to unanimously condemn what has happened," he told reporters ahead of the meeting. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on North Korea to return to the nuclear talks with the United States, China, Japan, South Korea and Russia.
Comments
Comments are closed.