North Korean Missile Launch Successful, Fears Circulate in Southeast Asia
North Korea’s rally in celebration of its successful rocket launch last Wednesday indicated the nation’s “saving face” in the midst of a similar attempt to put a weather satellite on orbit in April, which failed due to technical failure. The United States, Japan and South Korea condemned the launch, claiming it to be a demonstration of military strength and the capability of North Korea to launch a rocket at its will.
Governments worldwide are growing worried over the technological developments in North Korea, where nuclear technology is clearly developed. The launch clearly defies the 2009 U.N. restriction of missile testing against North Korea in 2006 and 2009, years in which the country launched its prototype nuclear missiles.
The Japanese government states that it shows North Korea’s ability to attack even the most distant Japanese Islands with their new rocket. Anti-North Korean protests in South Korea wer held in city squares, all in defiance of the nuclear research and technological development that North Korea had developed for state superiority.
The rocket’s parts scattered as it went through its stages to bring the satellite to orbit. Parts landed in the Yellow Sea west of the Korean Peninsula and the Pacific Ocean. Japan also said that it flew over Japanese islands during its launch. The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, confirmed the satellites placement into orbit.
The launch also coincides with the events that marked the death of Kim Jong Il on Dec 17 and is clearly the most prominent success of of his governing son Kim Jong Un.
Source: Time
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Tags: missile launch, north korea, rally, un, United nations, united states, weather satellite launch north korea