BY BEN KERRIGAN
North Korea has fired a long-range rocket, in a defiant show to test what is largely considered as a banned missile technology.
Local North Korean television late last night announced the successful placement of a satellite in orbit, in an act condemned by Japan, South Korea and the U.S, all of whom have called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council today-Sunday the 7th of February.The rocket passed over Japan’s southern Okinawa islands and has enraged the west.
.In a statement, the North Korean National Aerospace Development Administration said earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong-4 entered orbit about 10 minutes after lift-off from the Sohae space center in North Phyongan province.
North Korea have always defended its right to conduct scientific experiments, and claims this to be one of such- a view rejected by the US, South Korea and China, all of whom insist the rocket launches are aimed at developing an inter-continental ballistic missile, to develop the capability of striking the U.S should North Korea ever consider the need to arise.
This is its fourth nuclear bomb test by North Korea in what is a violation of UN security council resolutions. Three previous tests in 2006, 2009, and 2015, were played down by America who claimed they fell into the sea. However, the U.S acknowledged seeing an object in orbit in the announced test of 2012.
In a precarious age where political tensions are high world wide, the move will heighten concern regarding the safety of the world, but North Korea considers itself sovereign enough to determine its entitlement to be fully equipped with the highest form of missile technology available, and leave the rest of the world to contemplate the level of risk to world peace that accompany their actions. The world watches with bated breath.
