North Korea launches rocket; UN condemns

The UN Security Council has strongly condemned North Korea's launch of a long-range rocket. After an urgent meeting in New York, the council said it would soon adopt a new sanctions resolution in response. Pyongyang said, it fired the rocket to place a satellite in orbit - but critics believe the real purpose was to test a ballistic missile. Yesterday's launch comes weeks after North Korea held a fourth nuclear test. Both acts violate UN



resolutions. 

Speaking after the closed-door talks, Venezuela's UN envoy Rafael Ramirez, the current council President, said the members of the Security Council strongly condemn this launch. He called it a serious violation of the Security Council resolution.

US is pressing at the Security Council for tough and comprehensive new sanctions, but they're being resisted by China, Pyongyang's closest ally and biggest trading partner.