North Korea launched a long range missile rocket into space early Sunday morning, resulting in an international response of condemnation. After South Korea reported of the launch, The United States, South Korea, and Japan decided to call for the emergency meeting.
After North Korea’s reported hydrogen bomb test, countries are skeptical about the true reasons behind the North Korea long range missile that was launched early Sunday morning. North Korea released a statement, saying it was for peaceful purposes.
Other countries collectively agree they believe it could be a test for a ballistic missile.
The North Korean rocket, names the Kwangmyongsong, launched at 9 a.m. Sunday (7:30 p.m. Saturday ET), according to the North Korea state news agency, KCNA. Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, personally oversaw the launch.
A U.S. defense official noted that the launch “did not pose a threat to the U.S. or our allies.”
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the launch is an act against the international community that plead against their actions, which were “deeply deplorable.”
South Korean President Park Guen-hye states that the launch was a “challenge to world peace.” There talks between the U.S. and South Korea to work on a defense system called Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, which would intercept missiles that have been launched.
Hua Chunying responses by saying China “regrets[s] that DPRK, in spite of the pervasive opposition of the international community, insisted on using ballistic missile technology to carry out a launch.”
The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is calling to take measures and act in cooperation with the international community.
The Security Council planned on meeting Sunday at 11:am in New York. While an official response has not been said, they plan to discuss an international response.