North Korea Launches Rocket

Defiant N Korea launches rocket BBC — North Korea has defied international warnings and gone ahead with a controversial rocket launch. State media said a satellite had been put into orbit and was transmitting data and revolutionary songs. click to read complete article

Obama’s Statement on North Korea Rocket Launching New York Times — Following is the text of President Obama’s statement Sunday on North Korea’s rocket launching, as released by the White House: North Korea’s development and proliferation of ballistic missile technology pose a threat to the northeast Asian region and to international peace and security. The launch today of a Taepo-dong 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. click to read complete article

North Korea launch to bring glory, little pain Reuters UK — North Korea's apparently successful launch of a long-range rocket on Sunday is a major boost for leader Kim Jong-il, who can probably expect little punishment from powers who saw the move as a missile test that violated U.N. resolutions. SHIFTING THE BALANCE? North Korea now potentially has a weapon that can reach U.S. territory, allowing it to directly threaten its main adversary for the first time. click to read complete article