North Korean Rocket Launch Surprises International Community

North Korean Rocket Launch Surprises International Community

The North Korean rocket launch finally pushed through and was met by criticisms in the international community.

North Korean authorities indicated that the rocket was successfully launched from its space center and brought a satellite into orbit. The launch was confirmed by neighboring countries and the North Korean rocket passed over Okinawa. However, the same countries did not give any indications that the satellite was successfully placed into orbit.

Some countries have considered the launch as a cover for a ballistic missile test. But the reclusive country was firm on saying that the rocket was intended to bring a satellite into orbit.

The move was quickly condemned by Britain since it violated a UN Security Council resolution. Britain said that it will discuss with other Security Council members appropriate measures in response to the rocket launch. The launch also caught the US by surprise.

The initial stage of the North Korean rocket fell in the sea near the Korean Peninsula while the second stage came down in the East China Sea. On the other hand, the third stage went down in waters near the Philippine archipelago.

An official in the United States indicated that the rocket seemed to follow its projected trajectory although it remains unconfirmed. An earlier report had given indications of a possible delay in the launch due to a technical problem. This resulted to an extension on the launch window by North Korea.

Similar launch attempts in 2006 and in 2009 also resulted to international condemnation. The North Korean rocket launch this year was speculated to mark the 100-year birth anniversary of the late Kim Il Sung, the Great Leader of North Korea.

Posted by James Fried on Wednesday December 12 2012, 11:57 AM EST. Ref: CNN. Link. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under World. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0