N Korea warns of 'strong steps' against UN censure

Insisting that its long-range rocket was launched to carry a satellite into space and not a missile test, North Korea has warned that it will retaliate with "strong steps" if the UN Security Council takes any action against Pyongyang.

Any action by the Council would be "undemocratic" and "attack" on his country's sovereignty and "necessary strong steps" will follow, North Korea Deputy UN Ambassador Pak Tok Hun told reporters yesterday.

Pak's statement came even as the Security Council was deadlocked on its response to the Sunday's rocket launch with the United States and its allies. Japan has called for strong condemnation of North Korea while China and Russia have sought for a more measured and weaker response.

Insisting that his country has launched a satellite and thus violated no Council resolutions, Pak said it is not fair for the western countries to launch hundreds of satellites each year and target his country when it puts one in the orbit.

But the US, backed by Japan and South Korea, claimed that the Pyongyang has launched a Taepo-dong-2 missile which travelled 3,100 kilometers before falling in the Pacific even though it did not attain its full orbit.

This was the farthest that any North Korean missile has travelled and Washington fears that it was aiming to develop a ballistic missile which could reach up to Alaska.

The Council resolution, adopted after North Korea conducted its nuclear test in 2006, bans Pyongyang from launching or testing a ballistic missile.

Pak said his country was exercising its "inalienable" right to use space for peaceful purposes.

The 15-member Council had met in an emergency session Sunday but could not formulate any reaction with China and Russia differing from the perceptions of US and its allies.

Diplomats of five permanent Council members – the US, Russia, Britain, France and China – and Japan met again on Monday but the discussions ended without any consensus. They were expected to meet yesterday but the meeting did not come off apparently because of sharp divisions.

Council diplomats said Beijing had proposed a non binding statement but was considered very weak by the US and its allies who wanted to bring a strong resolution.

But Chances of any resolution appear bleak unless the Western powers and Japan are able to prevail upon China and Russia, who have veto power, to at least abstain.

Advocating a cautious approach, China and Russia are advocating restarting of the stalled six-party talks to end North Korea's nuclear programme. The parties include North Korea, South Korea, the US, Russia, China and Japan.