AFP: North Korea’s launch of a “ballistic missile” violates UN Security Council resolutions, Japan said yesterday, after what Pyongyang said was a failed attempt to put a satellite in space.
“As a ballistic missile launch like this one violates relevant UN Security Council resolutions, Japan firmly protested against North Korea and strongly condemned” the launch, Japanese government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno said.
The reclusive state on Tuesday confirmed it planned to launch what it called a military reconnaissance satellite before June 11, having told Japan of its plans a day earlier. Because long-range rockets and space launchers share the same technology, analysts say developing the ability to put a satellite in orbit would provide Pyongyang with cover for testing banned intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).