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N Korea threatens 'strong steps' N Korea celebrates rocket launch
(about 5 hours later)
A North Korean diplomat warns that "strong steps" will follow if the UN takes action against the country after its launch of a satellite on Sunday. Tens of thousands of North Koreans have rallied in Pyongyang to celebrate what the official media say was a successful satellite launch over the weekend.
The UN Security Council has been debating whether North Korea should be punished for the launch. The US and others say the launch ended in failure, with the rocket falling into the ocean.
The US, Japan and key European powers say the launch was a ballistic test in clear violation of a UN resolution. The US, Japan and South Korea fear it was a cover for a long-range ballistic missile test.
China and Russia have been more cautious, saying they are yet to be convinced Pyongyang broke the rules. But attempts to discuss new sanctions against North Korea have met opposition from Russia and China.
Pyongyang says the test of the three-stage Taepodong-2 rocket was a success, putting a satellite into orbit which is now transmitting data and revolutionary songs. See satellite images of North Korea's launch pad See satellite images of North Korea's launch pad
On Tuesday, it released what it said was a video recording of the rocket launch. North Korea has warned that "strong steps" will follow if the UN does takes action.
The 20-second sequence showed the rocket blasting off and moving across the sky. It has also told Japan to stop sending ships to search for debris from the rocket, describing such action as espionage and an "intolerable military provocation."
The US says the attempt to launch a satellite failed. 'Proud victory'
Further steps? The mass rally on Pyongyang's Kim Il-sung Square comes a day before a meeting of the communist state's new parliament.
North Korea's deputy UN ambassador Pak Tok-hun warned the council against trying to punish Pyongyang, insisting his country had only launched a satellite - rather than a missile - at the weekend.
If the 15-member security council took "any kind of steps whatever, we will consider this infringes upon the sovereignty of our country," he said, threatening "necessary and strong steps".
N Korea a problem for Obama North Korea's missile programme Reaction to North Korea launch In pictures: Space launch N Korea a problem for Obama North Korea's missile programme Reaction to North Korea launch In pictures: Space launch
He did not elaborate on what further steps North Korea might take. The meeting is expected to re-elect leader Kim Jong-il to his most important post - chairman of the powerful National Defence Commission - and strengthen his grip on power, despite recent health concerns.
"Every country has the inalienable right to use outer space peacefully," he added. Analysts say the timing of the rocket launch, the rally and recent footage of Mr Kim have all been designed to bolster support ahead of the meeting.
The US, South Korea and Japan say the launch violates UN Security Council resolution 1718, which was adopted in October 2006 and bans North Korea from carrying out ballistic missile activity. Senior communist party secretary Choe Thae-Bok called the launch a "proud victory".
Japan and the US are pushing for a UN security council resolution which would reinforce and possibly extend the existing sanctions against North Korea, applied in the wake of the country's nuclear test in 2006. "The imperialists and reactionaries who have committed all kinds of despicable acts, tenaciously pursuing... moves to isolate and stifle us, will be driven into a yet tighter corner because of our satellite launch," he told the rally.
Some of these sanctions, such as financial restrictions and a travel ban against North Koreans involved in the weapons programme, were never actually applied. The North insists it put a communications satellite into orbit, which is beaming back patriotic songs. On Tuesday, it released what it said was a video recording of the launch.
It is also questionable how effective the arms embargo has been, says the BBC's UN correspondent Laura Trevelyan, given that North Korea now has the technology to launch a satellite. But South Korea, Japan and the US say there is no sign of the satellite in space. They say it crashed back down to Earth, into the Pacific Ocean.
Blazing rocket Punishment?
In North Korea on Tuesday, state-run TV showed a 20 second clip of a white rocket blasting off and blazing eastwards. The UN Security Council has been debating whether North Korea should be punished for the weekend's launch.
The launch has provoked anger from North Korea's neighbours The US, South Korea and Japan say the launch violates UN Security Council Resolution 1718, which was adopted in October 2006 and bans North Korea from carrying out ballistic missile activity.
The word Chosun - the name used by North Koreans for their country - was emblazoned on the rocket's side in red. Japan and the US are pushing for a UN Security Council resolution which would reinforce and possibly extend the existing sanctions against North Korea, applied in the wake of the country's nuclear test in 2006.
The 20-second clip shows the rocket blasting off, then blazing eastward across the sky. But China and Russia have been more cautious, saying they are yet to be convinced Pyongyang broke the rules.
Moscow said Sunday's test was a cause for concern, but urged against "hasty conclusions", while China said Pyongyang had the right to a peaceful space programme. Moscow said Sunday's test was a cause for concern but urged against "hasty conclusions" while China said Pyongyang had the right to a peaceful space programme.
A long-time ally of North Korea, Beijing is opposed to further sanctions, saying they would be counterproductive. North Korea's deputy UN ambassador Pak Tok-hun has warned the council against trying to punish Pyongyang.
China may regard even the restatement of the existing sanctions as provocative. If the 15-member security council took "any kind of steps whatever, we will consider this infringes upon the sovereignty of our country", he said, threatening "necessary and strong steps".
It may be that all the major powers can agree on is a statement, rather than a much stronger, legally binding resolution, our correspondent says.
Discussions at the UN continue.
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