US warns of increased UN sanctions if North Korea launches satellite
UN resolutions forbid North Korea from any use of ballistic missile technology.
Photograph: KNS/AFP/Getty Images
(VOVWorld) – Top US diplomat for East Asia, Daniel Russel, said any launch of satellite by North Korea that uses ballistic missile technology will be yet another violation of a UN ban. Russel told reporters in Washington on Tuesday that this would strengthen the argument for the international community to impose "real consequences" on North Korea for its destabilizing behavior and call for the imposition of tough additional sanctions.
Japan has raised its alert level for a possible North Korean ballistic missile launch and is collecting information on the issue to ensure national security.
The International Maritime Organization said it had received a warning from North Korea of its intention to launch an earth observation satellite between 8 and 25 February.