In defiance of the United States, China, and a number of member states of the United Nations, North Korea has launched a rocket designed to send a satellite into space. The fear is that such a rocket is also capable of being used as a long-range missile with a nuclear warhead.
The three-stage rocket launched successfully, dropping its first two stages into the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean.
South Korea states it appears the rocket has been configured to thrust a satellite into orbit, as the North had claimed.
A question, as a result of this launch, arises that the launch may have just been a matter of demonstrating that it had the ability to launch a multistage rocket that could travel thousands of miles, once again bringing into question the possible reality of North Korea possessing inter-continental missile capabilities. This may be evidence that the test is, in addition to being a show of technology, a political move.
Japan has been on alert, and strongly protests the launching over its territory. The recent tests has brought fears to Japan that North Korea may be on the verge of being a nuclear power.
There have been few words as of yet out of the Obama Administration. Many will see this as one of many tests the President will experience regarding this rogue nation. Stephen W. Bosworth, Mr. Obama’s special envoy on North Korea, has said that the United States would seek to punish the North for the test, but at the same time is prepared to resume six-nation talks with North Korea hoping to convince Kim Jong Il to give up his nuclear weapons aspirations.
-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
New York Times: North Koreans Launch Rocket Over The Pacific
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