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UN Security Council condemns North Korea rocket launch | UN Security Council condemns North Korea rocket launch |
(35 minutes later) | |
The UN Security Council has condemned North Korea for launching a missile in defiance of a UN resolution. | The UN Security Council has condemned North Korea for launching a missile in defiance of a UN resolution. |
The Council president, Moroccan ambassador Mohammed Loulichk, described the launch as "a clear violation of Security Council resolutions". | The Council president, Moroccan ambassador Mohammed Loulichk, described the launch as "a clear violation of Security Council resolutions". |
The US says Pyongyang will face "consequences" for the launch, calling it a "highly provocative act that threatens regional security". | |
The US and its allies view the launch as a disguised ballistic missile test. | |
White House spokesman Jay Carney would not specify what "consequences" Washington was considering, saying it would first assess what action was taken by the Security Council. | |
Western diplomats would like the UN statement of condemnation to be followed by a resolution in the coming days, says the BBC's Barbara Plett at the UN. | |
Whether a UN resolution would strengthen existing sanctions depends on China, a permanent member of the Security Council and North Korea's closest ally, our correspondent adds. | |
So far Beijing has expressed "regret" at North Korea's action, but also urged restraint on any counter measures. | So far Beijing has expressed "regret" at North Korea's action, but also urged restraint on any counter measures. |
'Irresponsible behaviour' | |
The Unha-3 rocket, launched at 09:49 local time (00:49 GMT), appears to have followed its planned trajectory, with stages falling in expected areas. | The Unha-3 rocket, launched at 09:49 local time (00:49 GMT), appears to have followed its planned trajectory, with stages falling in expected areas. |
North Korea says a satellite has been placed in orbit; the US confirmed an object had been put into space. | North Korea says a satellite has been placed in orbit; the US confirmed an object had been put into space. |
US National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said the launch was "another example of North Korea's pattern of irresponsible behaviour". | |
The launch comes a week ahead of the South Korean presidential election and roughly a year after the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, on 17 December 2011. | The launch comes a week ahead of the South Korean presidential election and roughly a year after the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, on 17 December 2011. |
'Extremely regrettable' | 'Extremely regrettable' |
The three-stage rocket blasted off from a site on North Korea's west coast. | The three-stage rocket blasted off from a site on North Korea's west coast. |
"The launch of the second version of our Kwangmyongsong-3 [Unha-3] satellite from the Sohae Space Centre... on December 12 was successful," state news agency KCNA said. "The satellite has entered the orbit as planned." | "The launch of the second version of our Kwangmyongsong-3 [Unha-3] satellite from the Sohae Space Centre... on December 12 was successful," state news agency KCNA said. "The satellite has entered the orbit as planned." |
The rocket had been scheduled to pass between the Korean peninsula and China, with a second stage coming down off the Philippines. | The rocket had been scheduled to pass between the Korean peninsula and China, with a second stage coming down off the Philippines. |
The Japanese government, which put its armed forces on alert ahead of the launch, said the rocket had passed over parts of Okinawa prefecture, south of the Japanese mainland. | The Japanese government, which put its armed forces on alert ahead of the launch, said the rocket had passed over parts of Okinawa prefecture, south of the Japanese mainland. |
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, meanwhile, called an emergency meeting of his top advisers. His foreign minister said the government strongly condemned the launch. | South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, meanwhile, called an emergency meeting of his top advisers. His foreign minister said the government strongly condemned the launch. |
Britain has summoned the North Korean ambassador for urgent talks. | Britain has summoned the North Korean ambassador for urgent talks. |
Foreign Office Minister Sayeeda Warsi told parliament the ballistic missile test was unacceptable. | Foreign Office Minister Sayeeda Warsi told parliament the ballistic missile test was unacceptable. |
North Korea, which had said the launch could be delayed due to a technical problem, is believed to be working on the development of a long-range missile capable of reaching the west coast of the US mainland. | |
It has not previously successfully launched a three-stage rocket. Its most recent test, in April 2012, ended in failure, when the rocket flew for only a few minutes before exploding and crashing into the sea west of the Korean peninsula. | It has not previously successfully launched a three-stage rocket. Its most recent test, in April 2012, ended in failure, when the rocket flew for only a few minutes before exploding and crashing into the sea west of the Korean peninsula. |
Officials fear it could be working towards a missile on which a nuclear warhead could be mounted - but it is not thought to have fully developed either the missile or the warheads yet. | Officials fear it could be working towards a missile on which a nuclear warhead could be mounted - but it is not thought to have fully developed either the missile or the warheads yet. |
Are you in the region? What is your reaction to the launch? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you in the region? What is your reaction to the launch? Send us your comments using the form below. |