United States officials from the Pentagon and the State Department condemned North Korea’s plan to launch a long-range rocket, describing the prospective launch as “destabilizing” and a violation of United Nations security resolutions.
“We would consider it destabilizing behavior,” said Navy Capt. John Little, a Pentagon spokesman, “and we urge the [North] Korean leadership to reconsider this decision.” Little also said that the launch ” is a very clear violation of two United Nations Security Council resolutions and is in violation of their obligations to the international community.”
State Department spokesman Victoria Nuland agreed. “Such a missile launch would pose a threat to regional security and would also be inconsistent with North Korea’s recent undertaking to refrain from long-range missile launches,” she said.
North Korea plans the launch to commemorate the 100th birthday of the late-President Kim Il Sung, according to the Armed Forces Press Service.
