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UN Pressure Is 'Declaration of War': N. Korea

Outrage over rocket launch makes conflict 'a matter of time'

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 18, 2009 3:52 PM CDT
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(Newser) – North Korea will consider pressure from Western nations over its recent rocket launch to be a  "declaration of war," Pyongyang said today. The nation is already increasing its "defense capability including nuclear deterrent in every way" due to US and UN criticism of the launch, which North Korea says put a communications satellite into orbit. Washington says the rocket's payload never got that far, CNN reports.

In a rambling televised statement, North Korea said it would “mercilessly punish anyone who encroaches" on the nation's sovereignty. It also suggested the UN Security Council may have already “declared confrontation and war.” North Korea's state news agency echoed the statement, saying it was "a matter of time" before nuclear war breaks out "due to the war chariot of the 'South Korea-U.S. military alliance.'"

Protesters in South Korea rally against the Proliferation Security Initiative, a program aimed at halting the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and international sanctions against North Korea.
Protesters in South Korea rally against the Proliferation Security Initiative, a program aimed at halting the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and international sanctions against North Korea.   (AP Photo)
The North Korean rocket.
The North Korean rocket.   (AP Photo)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.   (AP Photo)
The launch of a missile in Musudan-ri, North Korea.
The launch of a missile in Musudan-ri, North Korea.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
woodyTX
Apr 19, 2009 4:17 AM CDT
The rocket never made it into orbit and ditched just east of Japan. A joke as far as any kind of weapons test goes but these guys are off their rockers with a shit load of conventional missiles aimes at Seoul, 40 miles south of the border with 8 Million people. That's scary as hell.
justapirate
Apr 19, 2009 3:24 AM CDT
What the f...

 
North Korea • United Nations • nuclear weapons • sanctions • UN Security Council • DPRK • deterrent • declaration of war

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