Reproaches Follow North Korea's 'Successful' Launch of a Dysfunctional Satellite

Briefing 07-01-2013

The launch followed an unsuccessful attempt to propel the same sort of satellite into orbit in April. Many foreign governments consider the exercise a test of the country's ability to launch long-range missiles. The country has gradually increased the range of its missiles. The UN has called on North Korea to suspend its ballistic missile system. North Korea's technology is mostly borrowed and largely outdated. The satellite launched into orbit appears to outside observers not to be functional... at least for now. Pyongyang may have felt political and social pressures - in addition to military ones - to launch the rocket. The UN Security Council and various countries condemned the move. Even China expressed 'regret'. This does not mean, however, that Pyongyang will be harshly punished by Beijing, its principal ally and trading partner. But the deeper worry abroad may be the possibility of a burgeoning Asian arms race.