UN Security Council 'Strongly Condemns' North Korea Rocket Launch

April 16, 2012

The UN Security Council has "strongly condemned" North Korea's failed rocket launch.

The council, in a statement adopted unanimously, urged tightening of existing UN sanctions against North Korea and warned of new "action" if Pyongyang planned new missile or nuclear tests.

The council said the April 13 launch was in violation of UN resolutions and had caused "grave security concerns" in Asia.

It ordered new firms, individuals, and items added to its sanctions blacklist set up after the communist state staged its nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009.

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, warned a new nuclear test would be "a disastrous course" for North Korea to pursue.

North Korea said the rocket launch was to carry a satellite into orbit, but the move was seen as cover for a test of long-range missile technology.

The rocket crashed into the sea minutes after launch.

Based on reporting by AFP, Reuters, and dpa

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/un_security_council_condemns_north_korea_launch/24550106.html

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