Tags: North Korea, Satellite Launch, Unha-3
Publication: VOANews.com
Publication Date: 11/14/2012

A screen at the satellite control centre in Cholsan county, North Pyongan province shows the Unha-3 (Milky Way 3) rocket being launched. Image credit: YTN

Two days after its first successful launch, and amid international controversy, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to send more satellites into space for scientific, technologic and economic development.

While the purpose of the satellite is still not clear, thousands of North Korean civilians and military officials gathered in Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung Square to celebrate the success of the mission.

However, the United Nations Security Council and the international nation condemned the launch as a violation of the sanctions imposed on North Korea that prohibit missile or nuclear tests. While the Unha-3 rocket did not carry a warhead, the technology used is similar to that of a long-range missile. This places North Korea a step closer to achieve its goal of being able to strike the United States with an intercontinental ballistic missile. The country would need to perform additional tests.

Now, following the modus operandi of the Korean nation, it is expected to perform a third underground nuclear test. Both in 2006 and 2009 North Korea carried nuclear tests months after similar long-range rocket launches.

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