International Responses to North Korean Launch

The many responses to the launch last night are coming in from all over the world, and they seem to be pretty unanimous in their condemnation of the act.

But political statements and press briefings are not going to deter the North Koreans from pursuing these actions again. As I wrote last night, they have positioned themselves in a way where they have the most leverage when they engage in these provocative acts. This is how they force themselves onto the world stage, and force the global players to pay attention to them.

It is hard for me to see any sort of resolution from the U.N. that could seriously harm the North Koreans.

And this from the Russians, who are asking for calm. They are checking whether or not this is a violation of U.N. sanctions, which seems to be a pretty clear break from the rest of the leading nations who have already clearly and firmly condemned this act as a breach of sanctions. It will be interesting to see how the world powers, some who have more ties to North Korea than others, continue to respond.

As of this morning though, the North Koreans sit atop the world stage, havng defied urges from the U.S., Japan, and South Korea. Their presence in world matters has grown if only a little these past two weeks.