EU denounces North Korea rocket launch
The European Union (EU) has lashed out at North Korea for its latest launch of a long-range rocket.
EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement on behalf of the 28-nation bloc on Sunday that the launch by North Korea was “yet another outright and grave violation” of its obligations.
Meanwhile, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has also in a statement criticized North Korea for launching the long-range rocket. “This launch is in direct violation of five United Nations Security Council Resolutions,” he said.
The Western military alliance’s chief also called on the North Korean authorities to comply with their obligations under international law.
North Korea on Sunday successfully launched the rocket, saying that it carried a satellite into space. The West and some regional countries say such launches by North Korea are in fact ballistic missile tests.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is set to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the controversial rocket launch. South Korea, Japan, and the US, have in a joint request, called on the UNSC to convene the session as soon as Sunday.
The launch has also drawn condemnations from France and Russia.
Reacting to the developments, South Korea has agreed to begin official talks with the US on the possible deployment of a US missile system on the Korean Peninsula.
North Korea last conducted a long-range rocket launch in late 2012, successfully putting an object into orbit in what the West deemed as part of Pyongyang’s effort to build an intercontinental ballistic missile.
North Korea declared itself a nuclear power in 2005 and carried out several nuclear weapon tests in 2006, 2009 and 2013.
Pyongyang, meanwhile, also pledged to launch more satellites.
North Korea is under UN sanctions over launching missiles considered by the US and South Korea as ballistic and aimed at delivering nuclear warheads.
Tens of thousands of US troops are stationed in South Korea and Japan.
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