NK satellite launch puts US aid in jeopardy
Source: Agencies |
March 17, 2012, Saturday
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NORTH Korea is to blast a satellite into space on the back of a long-range rocket, a move called provocative by the US that could jeopardize a weeks-old agreement with the United States exchanging food aid for nuclear concessions.
North Korea agreed to a moratorium on long-range launches as part of the deal with Washington, but argues that satellite launches are part of a peaceful space program exempt from international disarmament obligations.
The US, South Korea and Japan say the technology overlaps with belligerent uses and condemn the satellite program as a disguised way of testing military missiles in defiance of a United Nations ban.
The launch is to take place three years after a similar launch in April 2009.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the announcement of the launch "highly provocative."
"Such a missile launch would pose a threat to regional security and would also be inconsistent with North Korea's recent undertaking to refrain from long-range missile launches," she said, urging Pyongyang to abide by its international obligations.
Japan urged Pyongyang to abandon the launch, calling it a violation of a UN resolution restricting North Korea's use of ballistic missile technology, and South Korea's Foreign Ministry called the plan a "grave provocation."
Liftoff will take place between April 12 and 16 from a west coast launch pad in North Phyongan province, a spokesman for the Korean Committee for Space Technology said yesterday.
The spokesman said the launch would be part of celebrations marking the April 15 centenary of North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung.
North Korea agreed to a moratorium on long-range launches as part of the deal with Washington, but argues that satellite launches are part of a peaceful space program exempt from international disarmament obligations.
The US, South Korea and Japan say the technology overlaps with belligerent uses and condemn the satellite program as a disguised way of testing military missiles in defiance of a United Nations ban.
The launch is to take place three years after a similar launch in April 2009.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the announcement of the launch "highly provocative."
"Such a missile launch would pose a threat to regional security and would also be inconsistent with North Korea's recent undertaking to refrain from long-range missile launches," she said, urging Pyongyang to abide by its international obligations.
Japan urged Pyongyang to abandon the launch, calling it a violation of a UN resolution restricting North Korea's use of ballistic missile technology, and South Korea's Foreign Ministry called the plan a "grave provocation."
Liftoff will take place between April 12 and 16 from a west coast launch pad in North Phyongan province, a spokesman for the Korean Committee for Space Technology said yesterday.
The spokesman said the launch would be part of celebrations marking the April 15 centenary of North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung.
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