(LEAD) U.S. 'strongly' condemns N. Korea's launch of space rocket

▲ This photo provided by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on June 1, 2023, shows the launch of the North's new Chollima-1 rocket, allegedly carrying a military reconnaissance satellite, Malligyong-1, from Tongchang-ri on the North's west coast at 6:29 a.m. the previous day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) US-NK satellite launch

(LEAD) U.S. 'strongly' condemns N. Korea's launch of space rocket

(ATTN: ADDS more remarks from U.S. officials in paras 9-11, 13-14)

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (Yonhap) -- The United States "strongly" condemns North Korea's latest launch of what it claims to be a space launch vehicle, the White House said Tuesday, calling it a "brazen" violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions.

The North launched a rocket carrying a claimed military reconnaissance satellite southward from the Tongchang-ri area on its west coast on Tuesday (Korea time), according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, following two failed attempts -- in May and August.

"The United States strongly condemns the DPRK for its launch of a space launch vehicle (SLV) using ballistic missile technology, which is a brazen violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, raises tensions, and risks destabilizing the security situation in the region and beyond," National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement.

DPRK stands for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"This space launch involved technologies that are directly related to the DPRK intercontinental ballistic missile program," she added, urging "all countries to condemn this launch and call on the DPRK to come to the table for serious negotiations."

President Joe Biden and his national security team are assessing the situation in close coordination with allies and partners, she said.

The spokesperson also reiterated that the door for diplomacy has not closed.

"But Pyongyang must immediately cease its provocative actions and instead choose engagement," she said. "The United States will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the American homeland and the defense of our Republic of Korea and Japanese allies."

The State Department did not confirm whether the North's launch was successful, saying the U.S.' government assessment is still ongoing.

"We condemn the DPRK's unlawful launch of a military reconnaissance satellite today," Matthew Miller, the department's spokesperson, told a press briefing.

"This launch utilizes ballistic missile technology, which includes space launch vehicles, it violates multiple UNSC resolutions, and we will continue to work with the international community to send a strong signal to the DPRK that its actions will only intensify its isolation as it undermines stability and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula," he added.

The North's latest launch drew keen attention amid speculation that Russia might have provided the North with military technology in return for the North's supply of military equipment and munitions to help Moscow's war against Ukraine.

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said that she is not aware if the North's launch had anything to do with Russia's assistance.

"I'm not aware of anything to do with this launch and Russia," she told a press briefing. "All I can tell you is that we are aware of the space launch vehicle that North Korea launched, I believe is today."

On Monday, USS Carl Vinson, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, arrived at a naval base in Busan, 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul, in an apparent show of readiness against the North's launch preparation.

South Korea is also preparing to place its first military satellite -- mounted on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket -- into orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Nov. 30 -- a move that some said might have put pressure on Pyongyang.

The North has been striving to secure a space-based reconnaissance asset as part of key defense projects unveiled at the eighth congress of its ruling party in early 2021.

Observers said that the North appears intent to secure intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assets as it is far behind the allies in ISR capabilities despite its focus on developing an array of formidable weapons systems, including submarine-launched ballistic missiles and tactical nuclear arms.

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