Korea on high alert over further N. Korean provocations

The 15-member Security Council described yesterday’s launch as an “intolerable provocation” and said it planned to implement fresh sanctions on the rogue state.

Then, last month, a North Korea television report appeared to show leader Kim Jong Un proudly watching a successful underwater launch of a KN-11 missile.

The Chinese are concerned the missile defense system could be used against them, and the USA sanctions could hit Chinese companies that trade with North Korea.

The two leaders also shared the view that South Korea and the USA should put strong and varied pressure on North Korea in addition to a United Nations resolution, the presidential office said.

North Korea this time is believed to have had the first stage of Sunday’s rocket blow up into 270-odd pieces to cover up its technical footprint, the official said.

“However, we need more analysis to determine the capacity, including its exact range”, a defence ministry spokesman told AFP.

Sunday’s rocket launch triggered a wave of worldwide condemnation and prompted strong reaction from an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council.

China, North Korea’s closest economic partner, has condemned the launch but state-owned news agency Xinhua said in an editorial the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula should be considered before passing new sanctions.

The announcement was a direct response to North Korea’s launching a rocket into space Sunday, largely seen as a veiled test of the reclusive nation’s ballistic missile program, Cook said.

On Tuesday, Park told Obama that the global community needs to take specific actions to get North Korea to recognize that its policy of developing its economy and nuclear arsenal in tandem will never succeed.

“The bilateral discussions that will occur underscore the ironclad commitment of the United States to defend the Republic of Korea”, Cook said.

Wary of creating a refugee crisis should Kim’s regime collapse, China has been unwilling to implement sanctions that would really put a choke on North Korea’s economy.

China opposes the deployment of the system, out of concern it would contain its military capabilities and that the U.S.is using North Korea as an excuse.