N. Korea Launches Rocket

UN fails to agree on punishment for rocket launch

(NEWSER) - Japan is punishing North Korea for its recent rocket launch with renewed and tightened sanctions, the BBC reports. Japan has lowered the cap on monetary transmissions to reduce the flow of money into the country. A ban on imports from North Korea remains in place, but a total ban on exports to North Korea failed to pass. More»

(AP) - North Korea said preparations to launch a satellite were complete and liftoff was imminent, as US, Japanese, and South Korean warships with radar plied waters near the communist nation to monitor what they fear is a long-range missile test. Spy satellites trained high-resolution cameras on a coastal launch pad for a launch the North earlier advised would take place sometime between Saturday and Wednesday. More»

Navy moves ships in as Tokoy says it will shoot down debris

(NEWSER) - The Japanese government ordered its military to fire on a North Korean rocket if any part of it falls into Japanese airspace, reports Reuters. North Korea has said it will launch a communications satellite but is presumed to be testing a long-range missile, which is currently on a launch pad. North Korea has warned that any attempt to shoot down the rocket itself would be an act of war. More»

New regime does not appear eager to improve relations

(NEWSER) - North Korea reprimanded Japan last night and today for what it sees as a failure to show respect for Kim Jong Il's death, the latest sign that a regime change in Pyongyang will not bring improved relations with rival countries. The state news agency last night admonished Japan for not allowing North Korean sympathizers to leave Japan for North Korea in order to offer their condolences, as well as for holding a security meeting upon hearing of Kim's death. The language was similar to that used in a warning issued to South Korea after Kim's death. More»

In event that probably has nothing to do with Kim Jong Il's death

(NEWSER) - North Korea raised some eyebrows this morning by test-firing a short-range missile into the sea off its east coast, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reports. The test garnered extra attention because it came just hours after the death of Kim Jong Il , but South Korean officials tell the AP that the two events were likely unrelated. They explained that the firing was probably part of a routine drill. South Korea put its military on high alert at the news of Kim's death. More»