North Korea defies warnings in rocket launch success

[Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant']

Hmm...even China are pissed at them this time.

North Korea has successfully launched a long-range rocket, defying international warnings.
The 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.
South Korea, the US and Japan have condemned the launch as a disguised test of long-range missile technology.
A UN resolution passed in June 2009 after North Korea's second nuclear test banned Pyongyang from ballistic missile tests.
The US called it a "highly provocative act that threatens regional security", while UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said it was a "clear violation" of the UN resolution.
Japan has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Reports suggested this could take place later on Wednesday.

The US called the launch another "example of North Korea's pattern of irresponsible behaviour".
In China - which is North Korea's closest ally - Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei expressed "regret" at the launch. A commentary from state-run Xinhua news agency called on all parties to remain "cool headed" and engage in "trust-building measures".

(Full article here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20690338 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20690338))

[TheGodlessUtopian]

Nothing seems out of the ordinary from the Western response but I do wonder to what measures they will take; I assume more sanctions, China might reel in some of their support (or it could be bluster to appease the West). At any rate it seems like NK has finally succeeded in something technologically impressive, good for them.

[Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant']

United Nations: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman Martin Nesirky

The Secretary-General deplores the rocket launch announced by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea [North Korea].
It is a clear violation of Security Council resolution 1874, in which the Council demanded that the DPRK not conduct any launch using ballistic missile technology.
United States: National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor

North Korea's launch today - using ballistic missile technology despite express prohibitions by United Nations Security Council resolutions - is a highly provocative act that threatens regional security, directly violates United Nations Security Council resolutions 1718 and 1874, contravenes North Korea's international obligations, and undermines the global non-proliferation regime.
This action is yet another example of North Korea's pattern of irresponsible behavior. The United States remains vigilant in the face of North Korean provocations and fully committed to the security of our allies in the region.
Given this current threat to regional security, the United States will strengthen and increase our close co-ordination with allies and partners.
South Korea: Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan

North Korea ignored repeated warnings and demands by the international community that North Korea should withdraw the rocket launch.
Our government, along with the international community, strongly denounces it.
North Korea should bear grave responsibility for the launch as the UN Security Council warned with its presidential statement (on North Korea) in April.
China: Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei

We express regret at the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's [North Korea's] launch in spite of the extensive concerns of the international community.
China: Commentary carried by Xinhua news agency

Like other nations, the DPRK [North Korea] has the right to conduct peaceful exploration of the outer space.
However, Pyongyang should also abide by relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 1874, which demands the DPRK not to conduct "any launch using ballistic missile technology" and urges it to "suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile programme".
Under the highly-charged circumstances of the moment, all parties concerned should stay cool-headed and refrain from stoking the flames so as to prevent the situation from spiralling out of control.
Japan: Chief government spokesman Osamu Fujimura

It is extremely regrettable that North Korea went through with the launch despite our calls to exercise restraint.
Our country cannot tolerate this. We strongly protest to North Korea.
Russia: Foreign Ministry spokesman

The new rocket launch carried out by North Korea flaunts the opinion of the international community, including calls from the Russian side, and leaves us with deep regret.
United Kingdom: Foreign Secretary William Hague

I strongly condemn the DPRK's [North Korea's] satellite launch today.
I deplore the fact that the DPRK has chosen to prioritise this launch over improving the livelihood of its people. We will be summoning the DPRK Ambassador to the UK to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

(Source - BBC NEWS)

[Yazman]

lol - all these empty condemnations make me laugh. What are they going to do? All the condemnations in the world aren't going to change anything. This reminds me of how they act towards Israel - they sit there condemning the Israeli government's genocide but never actually do anything about it. Where's the sanctions against Israel for its crimes? Where's the sanctions against Israel for not signing the NPT? They are happy to condemn Iran for building some nuclear power plants but let's face it, at least Iran signed the damn treaty and co-operates with the UN much of the time. The Israeli government doesn't even do that.

I'll give a shit about these condemnations when they aren't just empty threats.

[RedHal]

all these condemnations from nations with far larger arsenals of mass destruction makes me laugh, especially from a nation who uses them on a regular basis.

[Krano]

http://n2yo.com/?s=39026

[Thelonious]

all these condemnations from nations with far larger arsenals of mass destruction makes me laugh, especially from a nation who uses them on a regular basis.

I concur 100%. The hypocrisy of the United States of America is almost unbelievable. How many people have the United States killed with nuclear weapons?

[LeonJWilliams]

What's hilarious is that the US said that this act has continued DPRK's pattern of irresponsible behaviour. Has the US looked in the mirror lately?

Personally I think this action while being a huge success and massive step forward for their space program is using their limited funds in the wrong place. I don't think this will improve the lives of the working class as much as (for example) improving food production (quality and/or quantity).

On a separate note the satellite has been stated as being an Earth observation Satellite, would have thought that a communications satellite would have been a better choice.