US warns of 'tough' UN sanctions over N Korea satellite launch
The US State Department has harshly slammed North Korea’s plans for satellite launch as an “egregious violation” of international obligations, warning of “tough” UN sanctions against the country.
"I feel confident in telling you that the international community would regard a step like that by the North Koreans as just another irresponsible provocation and a clear violation of their international obligations," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said at a news briefing on Tuesday.
The condemnation comes after North Korea notified UN agencies that it has planned to launch a satellite this month, which could advance the country's development of long-range missile technology.
"We have received information from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea regarding the launch of earth observation satellite 'Kwangmyongsong' between 8-25 February," said a spokeswoman for the UN’s International Maritime Organization.
According to US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia Daniel Russel, a launch, "using ballistic missile technology," would be an "egregious violation" of North Korea's international obligations.
"This argues even more strongly for action by the UN Security Council and the international community to impose real consequences for the destabilizing action that (North Korea) has taken, is taking, and to raise the cost to the leaders through the imposition of tough additional sanctions." Russel said.
Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe condemned Pyongyang's plan to launch a rocket, saying, "If North Korea goes ahead and launches the rocket, it would clearly violate UN Security Council resolutions and pose a serious provocation."
The move comes as the United Nations Security Council is discussing a round of fresh sanctions against already-sanctioned North Korea in the aftermath of its fourth nuclear test on January 6.
North Korea last conducted a long-range rocket launch in late 2012, successfully putting an object into orbit in what the West deems as part of Pyongyang's effort to build an intercontinental ballistic missile.
North Korea is under UN sanctions over launching missiles considered by the US and South Korea as ballistic and aimed at delivering nuclear warheads.
North Korea accuses the US of plotting with regional allies to topple its government. Pyongyang says it will not relinquish its nuclear deterrence unless the US ends its hostile policy toward North Korea and dissolves the US-led UN command in South Korea.
Tens of thousands of US troops are stationed in South Korea and Japan.
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