UN Security Council condemns North Korean rocket launch

“And as such it’s a critical violation of its earlier UN Security Council resolutions”, the highly effective world physique stated in a press release backed by Pyongyang-ally China, and the 14 different council members.

United States ambassador Samantha Powers called for robust responses to “violations” committed by the North Koreans.

The three countries also demanded an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss possible sanctions against North Korea.

Sunday’s launch comes weeks after North Korea held a fourth nuclear test – both acts violate United Nations resolutions.

North Korea was previously planning to launch the satellite between 8 and 25 February, but following an order by North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) advanced the launch.

“We are hopeful that China, like all council members, will see the grave threat to regional, global peace and security, see the importance of adopting tough, unprecedented measures, breaking new ground”.

“Each of these illegal actions requires a robust response because of the DPRK (North Korea) decisions and actions”.

The incursion came amid heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula following the launch by North Korea of a long-range rocket that carried a satellite into space and raised concerns about Pyongyang’s nuclear program.

The rocket was launched from a facility in north-western North Korea, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported. The DPRK is banned from test-firing any rockets based on a ballistic missile technology under UN Security Council resolutions and such a test has not been conducted since 2012.

Experts say long-range rockets and ICBMs are basically the same, differing only in payload.

“There will eventually be a sanctions resolution”, the diplomat said.

South Korea said Monday that gaining the public’s support is a prerequisite for Seoul to review whether to seek a pact on sharing military intelligence with Japan.

About 30 minutes later, Park received a phone call from Abe, agreeing to cooperate in the adoption in UN Security Council of the strongest and the most effective sanctions toward the DPRK.