World Responds as North Korea Launches Missile

Claims that a satellite was put into orbit were debunked by the U.S. Northern Command following the launch of North Korea’s rocket.

North Korea went through with its long-range ballistic missile launch Sunday morning, ignoring pressure from the United States, South Korea, and Japan. The missile fired in three stages. Its first stage landed in the water between Korea and Japan and its second and third stages landed in the Pacific Ocean, after flying over Japan.

North Korea called the launch a success, still holding its claim that the launch was of a satellite, part of its space program. It claimed the satellite was set into orbit and is now broadcasting revolutionary songs, “Song of General Kim Il Sung” and the “Song of General Kim Jong Il,” praising their former leader and his son, the current leader.

The U.S. Northern Command released a statement saying that a satellite was not put into orbit, confirming that it landed in the ocean. The launch is thought to be part of North Korea’s attempts at nuclear armament.

Just following the launch, the United Nations scheduled an emergency Security Council session. According to a joint statement from the European Union and the United States, “The launch of a missile by North Korea defies U.N. Security Council resolutions and harms peace and stability in northeast Asia.”

“North Korea’s development of a ballistic missile capability, regardless of the stated purpose of this launch, is aimed at providing it with the ability to threaten countries near and far with weapons of mass destruction. This action demands a response from the international community, including from the U.N. Security Council to demonstrate that its resolutions cannot be defied with impunity,” the statement says.

The missile launch violates the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1781, which sets various measures against North Korea’s weapon and missile programs. It was adopted following North Korea’s missile tests in 2006.

China, a main supporter of North Korea, was among the few countries that did not condemn the launch. They released a statement telling other countries to be calm and have restraint. Russia issued a similar statement.

Interceptors put in place by Japan didn’t bother to shoot down the missile, as debris posed no threat to Japanese territory. North Korea previously warned that any attempt to shoot down the missile would be seen as an act of war.

President Barack Obama condemned the launch during his Sunday speech in Prague, Czech Republic. His speech was primarily about a new international effort to further rid the world of nuclear weapons.

“North Korea broke the rules once again, by testing a rocket that could be used for long ranged missiles. This provocation underscores the need for action, not just this afternoon at the U.N. security council, but in our determination to prevent the spread of these weapons,” Obama said.

“Rules must be binding. Violations must be punished. Words must mean something. The world must stand together to prevent the spread of these weapons. Now is the time for a strong international response and North Korea must know that the path to security and respect will never come through threats and illegal weapons,” he said.