Pyongyang challenges the world and launches its 'weather' rocket

KOREA

Pyongyang challenges the world and launches its 'weather' rocket
Rhetoric, patriotism and glory for Kim Jong-un. Concern of the United States and South Korea Japan calls a UN Security Council meeting. China calls on North Korea to comply with UN rules, but claims Pyongyang’s right to space research.


Seoul (AsiaNews) - North Korea launched a rocket this morning, exalting its leader Kim Jong-un, in the midst of criticisms and concerns from its neighbors.

In a combination of rhetoric and patriotism, North television announced that "Korea does what it says" and that "the satellite entered planned orbit."


The rocket was launched just before 10am Korea time, and its orbit has been confirmed by the North American Aerospace Defense. For North Korea it is a "weather satellite", but for the United States, South Korea and Japan, it is part of a series of experiments to launch nuclear warheads capable of hitting targets at distances of up to America. In 2006 and 2009, the UN Security Council imposed sanctions on North Korea to push it to stop its nuclear and missile program.

The launch was a surprise because in recent days the same Pyongyang had delayed the operation, leaving the possibility open until 29 December. Several analysts queried technical difficulties: there was a failed launch attempt in April, with the missile crashing to the ground after a few minutes.

Washington has condemned today's launch as a "provocation" and an example of "irresponsible behavior" in violation of UN rules, and Japan has asked for an urgent meeting of the Security Council, South Korea has convened an emergency meeting of the government .

China, Pyongyang's only ally, has not issued any official statement, but a commentary on Xinhua calls on North Korea to "respect the UN resolutions" at the same time, it states that North Korea "has the right to conduct peaceful space exploration ".

The new missile launch is destined, enhance the figure of the young Kim Jong-un, who is continuing the "military strength" policy of his father, Kim Jong-il. He died last year on the 17th of December and the launch would be a way to honor him. At the same time, the launch is a threat to the world:due to natural disasters (droughts and floods) and programming economic and political bankruptcy, North Korea is plagued be famine, with an average income per capita of less than 2 thousand dollars a year. Strengthening the military threat is a way to demand more aid from the international community which in turn is demanding greater guarantees and a halt to the North Korean nuclear program.

Pyongyang has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful, but at the same time claims to be a "power with nuclear weapons."

The nuclear threat of North Korea is likely to become the hottest topic in the presidential election campaign in the South scheduled for December 19.