North Korean Rocket Test Threatens Global Peace

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Although the rocket sank into the Pacific without any explosion, the action itself is being interpreted as a demonstration of power and a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.  United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his disapproval commenting;  “that against strong international appeal, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea went ahead with its planned launch” in an official statement.

Ki-moon also went on to say that “Given the volatility in the region, as well as a stalemate in interaction among the concerned parties, such a launch is not conducive to efforts to promote dialogue, regional peace and stability”.

North Korea is most directly in violation of UN Security Resolution 1718 which demands that they are to “not conduct any further nuclear test or launch of a ballistic missile”, after 2006 when North Korean leader Kim Jong-il boasted the success of a nuclear test.

The UN Security Council met to discuss a rational response to this breach of violation but have not yet announced a plan of action.

The United States plans to spearhead a response through both the UN and through Six-Party Talks in an effort for peace. U.S. President Barack Obama briefly mentioned the situation during a speech in Prague stating “Some countries will break the rules. That's why we need a structure in place that ensures when any nation does, they will face consequences.”

Meanwhile, Ban Ki-moon addresses the tension between those involved with fellings of hope urging “all countries concerned to focus on ways to build confidence and restore dialogue, including the early resumption of the Six-Party Talks.”

The Six Party Talks have been ongoing negotiations since 2003 between the United States, North Korea and surrounding countries after North Korea created its' Nuclear Weapons Program.

North Korea announced last month they were launching a communications satellite at an unknown date depending on the weather. North Korean officials and news agencies are denying a long-range missile test calling it a successful “projected satellite launch for peaceful purposes”.



Sources:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/obamaforamerica/gGxg8y
http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3772
http://www.un.org/news/dh/pdf/english/2009/06042009.pdf
http://www.thestar.com/article/614205
http://www.kcna.co.jp/index-e.htm