International

Despite warning, North Korea launches controversial satellite

Published

8 years ago

February 7, 2016

The East Asian country of North Korea has finally gone ahead to launch the controversial long-range rocket which Pyongyang says carries an earth observation satellite but critics and close watchers believe is a disguised ballistic missile test.‎

Moments after the launch which Pyongyang labelled as part of a purely scientific space programme, North Korean state media said the launch was a “complete success” vowing to continue launching satellites in the future.

According to the South Korean defence ministry, the rocket took off at around 9:00am Pyongyang time (00:30 GMT).

North Korea’s action has now violated UN resolutions and has also heightened tension against an international community already determined to punish Pyongyang for a nuclear test it carried out last month.

Neighbours, South Korea have already drawn the marker warning the North that it will “pay a harsh price” if it goes ahead with its plan to launch the satellite.

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