This undated picture, released by the Korean Central News Agency on Jan. 5, 2009, shows a missile firing drill from an undisclosed location in North Korea. (AFP)2009-04-05
Written by Dan Southerland
Radio Free Asia
By launching its rocket despite international warnings, North Korea makes sure all eyes are on the Stalinist state.
North Korea defied international warnings and launched a rocket into space Sunday, describing it as a satellite test.
U.S. President Barack Obama, calling for a strong international response, said that the launch could be used to test a missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
North Korea claimed that the rocket succeeded in placing a communications satellite in outer space. But the U.S. military, Japan and South Korea said that “no object entered orbit.”
According to North Korea's state-run Korean Central (KCNA), the satellite was transmitting revolutionary music, including a “Song of General Kim Jong Il,” the North Korean dictator. (Listen to the song on YouTube.)
Speaking during a visit to the Czech Republic, Obama said that “now is the time for a strong response.”
Japan called for an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting, which was scheduled to convene Sunday afternoon in New York.
Diplomats told Reuters that Japan and the United States want the 15-member Security Council to pass a resolution condemning the North Korean launch and calling for tougher enforcement of existing U.N. sanctions against North Korea for a 2006 nuclear test and missile exercises.
No country appeared to be seriously thinking of imposing new sanctions.
China's muted response
China has veto power on the council and has been lukewarm toward the idea of sanctions against North Korea in the past.
In a low-key response, China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu called on all sides to “maintain calm and restraint.”
The United States, Japan, Britain, France, and South Korea are likely to argue that the launch is a violation, because U.N. Security Council Resolution 1718 says that North Korea must abstain from any activity linked to its ballistic missile program.
The launch technology for satellites and ballistic missiles is identical.
Analysts say that Kim Jong Il has several aims in launching a long-range rocket at this time.
The first would be to draw the attention of the new Obama administration and to increase North Korea’s leverage in preparation for the country’s rejoining six-party talks focused on ending the country’s nuclear weapons program.
“They want to make sure that Obama will not forget them in spite of the economic crisis and Middle East and Afghanistan,” said Andrei Lankov, a Russian expert on North Korea, in an interview.
Good timing for Kim at home
Equally important, according to analysts, is an attempt by Kim to shore up his domestic support following an apparent stroke last year that raised doubts about his ability to rule.
The timing of Sunday’s launch is favorable for Kim, because North Korea will be able to use it to promote his image as a strong leader at an upcoming meeting of North Korea’s parliament, which convenes next Thursday.
Kim Jong Il has held power for more than a decade by perpetuating a feudal-style personality cult and imposing a climate of fear as well as a “military first” policy that favors the country’s armed forces and nuclear weapons program.
North Korea is believed to have earned tens of millions of dollars selling nuclear weapons technology as well as short- and medium-range missiles to nations such as Iran and Syria.
By demonstrating that it can launch an intercontinental missile, North Korea may be able to boost its overseas arms sales.
According to Lankov, in commentary published by The Wall Street Journal, Iranian scientists were present in North Korea during Sunday’s launch.
Military experts caution, however, that North Korea still has a long way to go before it can develop small nuclear warheads that can be fitted onto its missiles.
North Korea defied international warnings and launched a rocket into space Sunday, describing it as a satellite test.
U.S. President Barack Obama, calling for a strong international response, said that the launch could be used to test a missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
North Korea claimed that the rocket succeeded in placing a communications satellite in outer space. But the U.S. military, Japan and South Korea said that “no object entered orbit.”
According to North Korea's state-run Korean Central (KCNA), the satellite was transmitting revolutionary music, including a “Song of General Kim Jong Il,” the North Korean dictator. (Listen to the song on YouTube.)
Speaking during a visit to the Czech Republic, Obama said that “now is the time for a strong response.”
Japan called for an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting, which was scheduled to convene Sunday afternoon in New York.
Diplomats told Reuters that Japan and the United States want the 15-member Security Council to pass a resolution condemning the North Korean launch and calling for tougher enforcement of existing U.N. sanctions against North Korea for a 2006 nuclear test and missile exercises.
No country appeared to be seriously thinking of imposing new sanctions.
China's muted response
China has veto power on the council and has been lukewarm toward the idea of sanctions against North Korea in the past.
In a low-key response, China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu called on all sides to “maintain calm and restraint.”
"They want to make sure that Obama will not forget them in spite of the economic crisis and Middle East and Afghanistan." - Andrei LankovDiplomats said that the Chinese delegation in New York was suggesting that the launch might not constitute a violation of the U.N.’s 2006 resolution.
The United States, Japan, Britain, France, and South Korea are likely to argue that the launch is a violation, because U.N. Security Council Resolution 1718 says that North Korea must abstain from any activity linked to its ballistic missile program.
The launch technology for satellites and ballistic missiles is identical.
Analysts say that Kim Jong Il has several aims in launching a long-range rocket at this time.
The first would be to draw the attention of the new Obama administration and to increase North Korea’s leverage in preparation for the country’s rejoining six-party talks focused on ending the country’s nuclear weapons program.
“They want to make sure that Obama will not forget them in spite of the economic crisis and Middle East and Afghanistan,” said Andrei Lankov, a Russian expert on North Korea, in an interview.
Good timing for Kim at home
Equally important, according to analysts, is an attempt by Kim to shore up his domestic support following an apparent stroke last year that raised doubts about his ability to rule.
The timing of Sunday’s launch is favorable for Kim, because North Korea will be able to use it to promote his image as a strong leader at an upcoming meeting of North Korea’s parliament, which convenes next Thursday.
Kim Jong Il has held power for more than a decade by perpetuating a feudal-style personality cult and imposing a climate of fear as well as a “military first” policy that favors the country’s armed forces and nuclear weapons program.
North Korea is believed to have earned tens of millions of dollars selling nuclear weapons technology as well as short- and medium-range missiles to nations such as Iran and Syria.
By demonstrating that it can launch an intercontinental missile, North Korea may be able to boost its overseas arms sales.
According to Lankov, in commentary published by The Wall Street Journal, Iranian scientists were present in North Korea during Sunday’s launch.
Military experts caution, however, that North Korea still has a long way to go before it can develop small nuclear warheads that can be fitted onto its missiles.
10 comments:
Can we ask for some of those rocket to use againt Siam aggression?
Sir, we don't need those rockets, we just use our AK-47s and we can defeat Siam.
If our AK-47s are not working,we can use our MUN AKUM to make the aggressors chok puos(stomach ach).We ,the khmer) have everything in our disposal to defeat the Thai.Kom chor.
It is extremely unfair to North Korea that USA, France, India, Pakistan, China, Russia and some other countries where they have tested nuclear very secretly. These countries can invent missile to take the business satellite to the orbit, why cannot the North Korea! What is stupid the UN violation and constitution for other? Therefore, N Korea can 100% develop and invent this thing for the purpose of business development and growth. You guys sharpen norse are clever, why not North Koreans are? IT is very proud of North Korean people who can invent the experiment satellite and long distant missile to provent enemies. I am sorry that my country does not have the Research and Development to invent the electronic equipment, vehicles and missiles. Infact, we are Asian people is also clever to invent and develop things, but we cannot have chance because of capital and the so called UN violation and sanctions. When I was 6 years old I invented short distant of missile is running by heat and stream, then made by sugar,salt and acid.
i'm sure cambodia can use some of those modern missles for our self-defense against siem invasion! but we'll have to wait and see how negotiation goes! after all a country like cambodia must be able to do self-defense as well, you know! god bless cambodia.
What's the US going to do about the escalating situation? NOTHING!
After all, the US can only bark at the weaker nations, but with the nuclear-armed countries -- the US appears to be calmer.
I had a bet prior to the launch of the missle that if the US of Japan shot it (them) down, I will give every one in my company a $1000. Of course, I won the bet. Also, of course, there was no prize for me, but great pride.
The US or Japan would not want to dig their own graves, had they shot the missle (s) down. They're not that spupid. Also, the U.S must remember that this time, they're not dealing with Sadam Husein -- but Kim Jong Il. I'm sure our former king was behind the missle launch, too (yes, the former king greatest advisor to Mr. Kim).
Yes, the US can only bark at the weaker countries.
This Obama will not have the audacity to do any shit. Yes, speaking of the audacity of stupidity.
That's why i did not vote for OBAMA 6:09am.And yes,5:37am,your great king may be behind KIM JONG IL. IF your king has one(missile),he may donate to the Vietcong instead .Because he and vietcong are best lovers..
6:59 AM
Yup! I have to completely concur with you with the fact that the former king of Cambodia and the US were the principal creators of Khmer Rouge.
Moreover, before I exit this world, I'd very MUCH to spit on the grave of the late (former president) Nixon, and lobby the UN to have Mr. Kiss ass (Sec. of the late failure Nixon).
-- I am nobody
in cambodian culture, if we hate someone so much, when they passed away, people would go to pee and poop on their grave. so, please make khmer people feel proud and love so they don't go to spit, pee and poop on the grave. thank you. god bless cambodia.
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