New Delhi: North Korea has sent up a rocket it says is carrying a satellite, despite international appeals not to go ahead with the launch. Its neighbours and Western powers have responded with strongly worded statements.
SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN LEE DONG-KWAN
The government cannot but express disappointment and regret over North Korea's reckless act of firing a long-range rocket, which poses a serious threat to security on the Korean peninsula and the world. The government will deal firmly and resolutely with North Korea's provocative act.
SOUTH KOREAN FOREIGN MINISTER YU MYUNG-HWAN
Regardless of any North Korean claims, this is provocative activity which threatens stability and peace on the Korean peninsula and in north-east Asia. The government expresses grave concern as North Korea went ahead with the launch despite calls by the governments of South Korea, the US, Japan, China and Russia for cancellation of its planned launch.
JAPANESE CHIEF CABINET SPOKESMAN TAKEO KAWAMURA
North Korea's launch is extremely regrettable. We will strongly protest against North Korea. Even if a satellite was launched, we see this as a ballistic missile test and we think this matter should be taken to the United Nations Security Council. We are highly concerned by this matter.
STATEMENT FROM US PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
The launch today of a Taepodong-2 missile was a clear violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718, which expressly prohibits North Korea from conducting ballistic missile-related activities of any kind. With this provocative act, North Korea has ignored its international obligations, rejected unequivocal calls for restraint, and further isolated itself from the community of nations. We will immediately consult with our allies in the region, including Japan and the Republic of Korea, and members of the UN Security Council to bring this matter before the Council. I urge North Korea to abide fully by the resolutions of the UN Security Council and to refrain from further provocative actions.
US STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN FRED LASH
We look on this as a provocative act and certainly would - from the United States - take appropriate steps to let North Korea know that it can't threaten the safety and security of other countries with impunity and acts like these.
North's Korea's development, deployment and proliferation of missiles, ballistic missile-related materials, equipment and technologies pose a serious threat to the north-east Asia region and to the international community.
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