S Korea warns North of fresh UN action on missile
Saturday, 14 March 2009
SEOUL, Mar 13 (Reuters): A North Korean rocket launch will trigger fresh action by the UN Security Council for violating sanctions that are in effect for an earlier missile test, South Korea's foreign ministry said Friday.
North Korea has given notice to global agencies of its plans to launch a satellite between April 4 to 8, presenting a challenge to new US President Barack Obama and allies who see the launch as a provocative move and a disguised missile test.
"North Korea's action is in violation of Security Council Resolution 1718 and therefore must be suspended," South Korea's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
North Korea told agencies including the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) the launch would take place over Japan in daylight hours and that the boosters would fall in the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean, the IMO said.
North Korea has said it is sending a communication satellite into orbit and has the right to do so under a peaceful space programme.
Meanwhile, Japan can legally shoot down any dangerous object falling towards the country, the government's top spokesman said Friday, after North Korea said a planned rocket launch would send it across Japanese territory.
"Under our law, we can intercept any object if it is falling towards Japan, including any attacks on Japan, for our safety," Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura told a news conference. This provision excluded falling aircraft, he added.
North Korea has given notice to global agencies of its plans to launch a satellite between April 4 to 8, presenting a challenge to new US President Barack Obama and allies who see the launch as a provocative move and a disguised missile test.
"North Korea's action is in violation of Security Council Resolution 1718 and therefore must be suspended," South Korea's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
North Korea told agencies including the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) the launch would take place over Japan in daylight hours and that the boosters would fall in the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean, the IMO said.
North Korea has said it is sending a communication satellite into orbit and has the right to do so under a peaceful space programme.
Meanwhile, Japan can legally shoot down any dangerous object falling towards the country, the government's top spokesman said Friday, after North Korea said a planned rocket launch would send it across Japanese territory.
"Under our law, we can intercept any object if it is falling towards Japan, including any attacks on Japan, for our safety," Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura told a news conference. This provision excluded falling aircraft, he added.