China, Japan condemn North Korea rocket launch

North Korea’s latest rocket launch has caused swift condemnation from around the world.

Despite opposition from the international community, North Korea went ahead and launched its Earth observation satellite on Sunday, the first in three years.

North Korea claims the launch of the satellite is for scientific purposes. Nevertheless, other countries say this is a front for a ballistic missile test.

The country’s biggest foreign investor, China, expressed regrets over the launch.

Meanwhile, Japan has said it may impose measures against the country.

“From the perspective of what would be the most effective method, the government is preparing to decide the specifics of a measure,” Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga said.

An emergency meeting by the United Nations UN Security Council held on Sunday stated they will respond as deemed fit as this latest stint is a violation of its resolutions.

The UN strongly condemned the launch despite North Korea notifying UN agencies of the rocket launch.

“Each of these illegal actions requires a robust response because of the DPRK (North Korea) decisions and actions. We will ensure that the Security Council imposes serious consequences. DPRK latest transgressions require our response to be even firmer,” the US ambassador to the UN Samantha Power said.

Last month, the country carried out a miniaturised hydrogen nuclear device setting of warning bells. The country has been under UN security council sanctions. This move by leader Kim Jong Un, could see North Korea face additional sanctions.