North Korea rocket launch: satellite successfully sent into orbit

North Korea Rocket.

Dec. 12, 2012

 North Korea rocket launch satellite successfully sent into orbit

North Korea successfully launched a long-range rocket on Wednesday, defying international warnings and risking possible sanctions. The White House described the move as a "highly provocative act that threatens regional security".

North Korea successfully fired a long-range rocket on Wednesday, defying international warnings as Kim Jong Un’s regime took a big step towards potentially developing a nuclear missile.

North Korea rocket launch

While the rocket launch will enhance the credentials of young leader Kim, who took power after his father Kim Jong Il’s death a year ago, it is also likely to bring fresh sanctions against the country and further complicate ties between North Korea, its neighbours, and the West.

The United States, South Korea and Japan quickly condemned the morning launch, which they see as a test of the technology needed to mount a nuclear warhead on a missile that could one day be used as a threat against the US. Pyongyang claims the rocket was fired to see if the country had the capability to put a satellite into orbit.

Image, Video, Text, Credits: FRANCE 24 / Katerina VITTOZZI / AP.

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