News / Koreas

Japan considering ‘measure’ against North Korea after rocket launch

Monday, 08 February 2016 6:03 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 08 February 2016 6:03 AM ]

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga (photo by AFP)

Japan says it is considering the adoption of a “measure” against North Korea in response to a recent rocket launch by the latter country.

In a statement on Monday, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Tokyo is working out the details of a measure to be taken against Pyongyang.

“From the perspective of what would be the most effective method, the government is preparing to decide the specifics of a measure,” Suga said.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida had called for stronger sanctions against Pyongyang earlier on Sunday.

Suga further said China has also agreed with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to impose sanctions against the North Korean government. “So we hope they will take a tough, swift stance,” he said.

The UNSC strongly condemned North Korea for the launch in a statement on Sunday, and reiterated that it would soon adopt a sanctions resolution “in response to these dangerous and serious violations.”

On Sunday, North Korea launched a long range rocket from its Dongchang-ri base located in the country’s northwest. It said the rocket successfully carried a satellite into space.

Pyongyang had informed UN agencies about the launch. Japan, South Korea and the United States are however skeptical of such launches, which they say are a cover for banned tests of missiles that could strike the US.

The North is already under UN sanctions over launching missiles considered by the US and South Korea as ballistic and aimed at delivering nuclear warheads.

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