US Calls North Korea's Satellite Launch Announcement a "Violation of Security Council Resolution"

The United States has pointed out that North Korea's announcement of plans to launch a rocket carrying a satellite violates United Nations Security Council resolutions on North Korea.

According to Yonhap News Agency, on the 27th (local time), a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State stated, "Any launch by North Korea using ballistic missile technology violates multiple UN Security Council resolutions, including space launch vehicles (SLVs) used to send satellites into space."

They added, "Space launch vehicles include technology that is the same as or can be compatible with ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs)."

They further emphasized, "We urge North Korea to refrain from further illegal activities and call on the North Korean regime to engage in serious and sustained diplomacy."

The Security Council resolutions prohibit all launches using North Korean ballistic missile technology regardless of purpose. Since rockets used to launch satellites into space are technically virtually identical to ICBMs, such launches constitute violations of the Security Council resolutions.

According to an announcement from the Japanese Cabinet Secretariat, North Korea notified Japan of its plan to launch a rocket carrying a satellite from the 27th through the 4th of next month. The plan also includes setting up three maritime danger zones accordingly.