North Korea Makes Threat Over Missile Launch

(NEWSER) - North Korea says it will view any punishment for its recent rocket launch as a threat to its very sovereignty and will take "necessary and strong steps" in response, the BBC reports. It did not specify what those steps might be. "Every country has the inalienable right to use outer space peacefully," said the North's deputy ambassador to the UN. More»

Experts believe 'satellite' failure was moderately successful missile test

(NEWSER) - North Korea's weekend rocket launch failed in the third stage, and its payload—be it friendly satellite or naked nuclear ambition—lies at the bottom of the Pacific, but the test shows alarming progress, experts tell the Los Angeles Times. Analysts dismiss North Korea's claims that a satellite made it into orbit, but believe the test of a multistage rocket will draw notice from the likes of Iran, Syria, and Pakistan. 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»

Pyongyang defies international condemnation with fresh missile launch

(NEWSER) - North Korea raised international tensions even higher today by test-firing two new missiles off its east coast, AP reports. The missiles—one ground-to-air and one ground-to-ship—had a range of some 80 miles, according to South Korean officials, who believe North Korea fired an additional three missiles after its nuclear test yesterday that outraged world leaders. The UN Security Council yesterday called the nuclear test a "violation" of a weapons resolution and is weighing sanctions. More»

First test since 2006 draws international condemnation

(NEWSER) - North Korea announced today it had successfully conducted its first nuclear test since 2006, catching the South and the US off guard and drawing a swift denunciation from Barack Obama. The underground test produced a 4.7-magnitude earthquake, but as with the previous test, it remains unclear whether the North has successfully expanded its weapons capabilities. Hours later, the country fired a short-range missile from its east coast. More»