North Korea facing fresh sanctions over rocket

“With regards to the DPRK’s insistence on implementing a launch of missile technology in the face of worldwide opposition, China expresses regret”, China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

Allies of the USA agree that an “impactful response” is needed following a rocket launch in North Korea over the weekend, a White House spokesman confirmed.

North Korea on Sunday defied global warnings and launched a long-range rocket that the United Nations and others call a cover for a banned test of technology for a missile that could strike the U.S. mainland.

Hyon Hak Bong was told by Britain’s Asia minister that the United Kingdom condemned the test “in the strongest terms” as it amounted to a “deliberate violation” of UN Security Council resolutions.

The launch came on top of the testing of a nuclear device last month.

The North insists its space programme is purely scientific in nature but the US, South Korea and even Pyongyang’s ally China say the rocket launches are aimed at developing inter-continental ballistic missiles.

Lee Sun-jin, South Korean Army General and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Katsutoshi Kawano, head of Japan’s Self-Defence Forces, would participate in the meeting, which was scheduled after North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test on January 6.

South Korea’s defence ministry said it tracked the rocket shedding its first stage over the Yellow Sea before radars lost track of it. “China’s position has been that talks should resume with both North Korea and the U.S.at the table”, Elise explains.

THAAD (Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense) system which USA plans to deploy in South Korea will be focused exclusively on North Korea, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook told a briefing on Monday.

North Korea launched another satellite into space on Sunday, drawing condemnation from the global community.

A lingering Super Bowl fan at Levi’s Stadium with the right optical equipment could have seen what South Korea’s leader called “a challenge to world peace” as North Korea’s latest satellites passed high above California Sunday night.

Cook said if the North Koreans are concerned about the USA response to its rocket test, “they have an easy solution here, and that is to stop their own provocative actions”. “We have made clear that China can do more and needs to do more”.