North Korea defied international warnings and fired a long-range rocket
on December 12, the second launch under its new leader and a clear sign
Pyongyang is pushing forward with its quest to develop the technology
needed to deliver a nuclear warhead.
Pyongyang’s state media quickly claimed that the country had
successfully put a peaceful satellite into orbit with its long-range
Unha-3 rocket the North’s stated goal of the launch. But South Korea and
Japan said they couldn’t immediately confirm that. The launch was
something of a surprise, as North Korea had indicated technical problems
with the rocket and recently extended its launch window to December 29.
A rocket expert said North Korea’s rocket appeared to have improved on
an April launch, which broke apart shortly after liftoff, but that it
might be a day before U.S. officials could determine whether a North
Korean satellite was circling the Earth.
The United Nations, Washington, Seoul and others see the launch as a
cover for a test of technology for missiles that could be used to strike
the United States.
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