US-Japan-South Korea react to North Korea's satellite launch

These three countries believe that North Korea will face strong reactions from the international community if it continues to launch satellites.

On December 1, the DPRK announced plans to launch the Earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 between December 10 and 22. The US, South Korea and Japan immediately reacted to this announcement.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda convened a Cabinet meeting on December 1 to discuss North Korea's launch. Prime Minister Noda instructed relevant ministries to take all necessary measures to ensure security after North Korea announced its plan to launch a satellite.

A missile is launched in Musudan-ri, North Korea in 2009 (Photo: AP)

Prime Minister Noda expressed his willingness to coordinate with China, South Korea, Russia and the United States to urge Pyongyang not to carry out the plan. Prime Minister Noda said: "If North Korea carries out the launch, it will be very regrettable. North Korea may face a strong reaction from the international community. The Japanese Ministry of Defense and the Japan Self-Defense Forces are preparing to take appropriate measures in this regard."

According to Japan's Kyodo News Agency, Prime Minister Noda also decided to postpone the recently resumed dialogue with North Korea to improve bilateral relations. Japanese Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto also convened a meeting of senior officials of the ministry to discuss countermeasures against North Korea's satellite launch plan.

South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman Cho Tai Young also expressed "serious concern" about Pyongyang's plan, according to the Yonhap news agency.

“South Korea is closely monitoring developments related to North Korea’s satellite launch and is cooperating closely with relevant parties on this issue,” Cho Tai Young said.

On December 1, the US also voiced its opposition to North Korea's satellite launch. US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said that North Korea's launch this month could be detrimental to peace and security in the region. The US is continuing to consult with countries in the six-party talks on the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula.

Last April, North Korea launched a rocket carrying the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late President Kim Il Sung. After more than 1 minute of leaving the launch pad, the rocket fell into the sea. The US, Japan and South Korea reacted strongly to this launch, considering it a ballistic missile test.

Meanwhile, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) affirmed that North Korea has ensured utmost transparency in the satellite launch in April for scientific purposes and that Pyongyang will fully comply with relevant international regulations in the satellite launch this December./.

According to VOV - DT