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Subscribe to RSSUS officials say an attempted rocket launch in North Korea ended in failure when the rocket broke up shortly after launch. NBC's Bob Windrem reports.
Updated at 10:50 a.m. ET: The United States has canceled a proposed food aid deal with North Korea following over its attempt to launch a long-range rocket taking a satellite into orbit.
Senior administration officials told NBC News the deal with Pyongyang is off after the rocket was fired. It failed shortly after launch and landed in the sea off the South Korea coast.
"We are not going forward with an agreement to provide them with any assistance," White House National Security Council spokesman Ben Rhodes told reporters traveling with President Barack Obama to Florida.
He added that the U.S. and its allies will "take additional steps" if there are more "provocative actions."
Earlier, the G-8 group of countries on Friday condemned North Korea, and a leading Republican said even a failed test would help North Korea develop "technology capable of delivering a nuclear weapon that can threaten American cities tomorrow."
A U.S. official told NBC News that the launch was the fourth time the North Koreans had tried to launch this kind of missile, saying it should serve as a "real wake-up call" for the country's new regime.
In a statement, foreign ministers of the G-8 -- made up of the United States, Canada, Japan, Russia, the U.K., Germany, France and Italy -- raised the possibility of action by the United Nations.
"We, the G-8 Foreign Ministers, condemn the launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), which is a violation of U.N. Security Council Resolutions 1695, 1718, and 1874," the statement said.
Reuters graphic showing the rocket's path
"Sharing the view that the launch undermines regional peace and stability, we call on the DPRK to abstain from further launches using ballistic missile technology or other actions which aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula," it added.
It said they were "ready to consider, with others, taking measures responding to all activities of the DPRK that violate U.N. Security Council Resolutions."
They said they might also call for what it described an "appropriate response" by the U.N. Security Council.
How will North Korea deal with failure?
The foreign ministers urged North Korea to abandon "all its nuclear weapons and its existing nuclear and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner," end its uranium enrichment activities, and take "concrete and irreversible steps toward denuclearization."
A U.S. official told NBC News that the missile had failed shortly after launch, before the news was confirmed by North Korea itself.
"The North Korean missile failed shortly after launch," the official said. "Think about it: This is the fourth failure to launch this missile as it was designed, and should serve as a real wake-up call for the new government."
North Korea rocket breaks up after much-touted launch
"Their efforts to draw attention to the program certainly seem to have backfired in this case," the official added. "Everyone will be watching closely to see how the government handles this first real test."
U.S. Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl said in a statement that the missile launch was "yet another provocative action undertaken by the regime in Pyongyang."
"The rocket that the North Koreans attempted to launch employs technology that is relatively identical to that of a ballistic missile, including similar guidance and propulsion systems," he said. "Even a failed launch can provide useful information for North Korea's development of technology capable of delivering a nuclear weapon that can threaten American cities tomorrow."
He said the North Korean regime had "once again" demonstrated "complete disregard for international sanctions and its proclivity for worthless commitments."
Kyl said the Obama administration should "abandon its naive negotiations with North Korea (and Iran), and instead focus on fully funding missile defenses that can protect the United States from ballistic missile threats."
South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported that the official North Korean news agency, KCNA, confirmed the rocket had failed to enter orbit about four hours after the launch.
KCNA said that the scientists and engineers were working to find out the cause of failure.
In Japan, there was relief at the failure, but local media were asking why it took the government 40 minutes to confirm the launch to the Japanese public.
NBC's Andrea Mitchell talks to Rachel Maddow about what the recent developments mean in the broader context of America's relationship with North Korea.
Japan's prime minister Yoshihiko Noda urged Pyongyang to abide by all United Nations resolutions and demanded that it takes concrete steps in resolving the various outstanding issues including their nuclear and missile development, as well as addressing the highly charged issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North korean agents.
Japan currently has various sanctions in place against North Korea, among them a ban of all exports and imports and also restricting entry of all North Korean vessels.
Arata Yamamoto, NBC News producer in Tokyo, contributed to this report.
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Why are we sending food to our enemies, in the first place?
So they can build missles that will reach the United States? Congress ok's this B.S. and the president OK'ed it.
They are not our enemys. We are trying to establish communications. But they are deffinatly not our enemy!
Because if we declare we are a Christian nation, as so many of our good GOP candidates remind us daily, via Fox News, then we obey Jesus, because Jesus tells us to feed our enemies, and turn the other cheek. His words.
The evil government Of North Korea will not suffer if we stop shipment of food aide, only the innocents of this country. People suffering, and dying. What do we do?
Mary
N. Korea government is OUR ENEMY.
None of this is moral or has anything to do with emulating Jesus. Where does our government get the money to give to other countries? They steal it from us. I work and struggle to pay pills in this economy yet the government points a gun at my head and tells me to give them 30% of when I earn. If I don't surrender to their theft then I got to prison. Our government is not being just at all. If anyone wants to give to the poor in North Korea, then they have the freedom to volunteer to do so, but the government has no right to theft.
This "nut" didn't fall far from the tree either. To hell with N. Korea...and while we're at it, to hell with Iran, Syria and the rest of the the trouble causing nations of the world. Time to isolate our concerns and take care of #1, that being our own good ol' US of A.
Food aid for North Korea is a joke! The supplies are stolen and sold and given to the rich and privilaged. I wonder how they are able to sell of cafe press http://www.cafepress.com/kfashop/7061926. This is a direct link from the NKoren web sitehttp://www.korea-dpr.com/. They are corrupt sheep that don't understand freedom and are sheltered from the truth. The launch is a step in the wrong direction. It is time we took action. I feel sorry for the South Koreans living so close to a strange and vicious country. North Korea does not care about their own..they plant flowers to decorate every gov building and event yet fail to plant enough vegetables to feed the animals and people. They are warped beyound belief. The only ones sitting happy with a full stomach are the leaders and the precious few they pick!
For nathan # 297...... You are so right. They got the results they were looking for. Masters of lies and deception. Whats next? It looked more like a ballistic missle to me. They got it off the ground!
It is past time to stop paying these goons in food to stop their military threats. If they do it again, then an attack on such facilities should be next. And if China has a problem with this, then so be it.
For being the 'best' Korea their leadership certainly are dumb. First a provocative missile launch is a dismal failure. Now you don't get food aid either.
Feel sorry for the people there under the iron fist of a moronic dictatorship.
My position on this was to give Junior one chance to follow the rules. He failed, so no more deals.
Like father like son.
I understand what is going on , but as a mom all I can think of is the small children going hungry . We help feed everyone . Do not stop the food. I dont believe that there should be wepons out there , but there is not much to do about it even WE have them . I for one absolutly love korea and japan and really want to go there, If we repremand someone . Fine but to the children deserve this fate. If a child is hungry can you seriously pass them up. The poeople in charge make the rules. Feed the children and so what you feel is nessary for the rest. We have always had what we need to survive so for those that are not being kind . Please rember some day this may be you. HELP is Universal. Not to one color or race. We should help everyone equaly.!!!
Hey Mary
I am also a mom, grand mother. Do you really believe the food is to feed the people? Have you looked at the military, they look like they are starving, geeeeeee guess where the food is going.
The food is not going to the hungry, mom. They are punished for 3 generations, grandparents to children. The aid is not used to help anyone that needs it. Think, read some books, be objective before you write! estimates of 200k or more in prison starving never seen a drop of food! Children born in prison. They have no medical care, no supplies, no seeds to plant. People like you who know nothing or have read nothing really upset me!
Mary - Have you been following the news on TV with the journalists being taken on a No. Korean tour??
You don't see gov't oppression? People working the fields with shovels - no tractors, nothing. The gov't is putting every dime into its military. They don't care about the peoples' health, education, nothing. It's all about power.
You are young - go back and read some history books about the area, their dictators and perhaps you'll have a better grip on their 'reality'. No, it's not pretty. To help them is just helping their military, not the people, the children.
To them, children are 'disposable' property. They don't think the way we do. Don't go "bleeding heart" on this one cuz if you and others do, you'll be playing right into their hands.
How about we feed our own people first and use the money to improve the poor peoples lives in america
IIII
Is Mary on Crack............
No matter what Obama does, the Republican goose-stepping brown shirts are going to find fault
Seriously . Wow world view education is key. Have a nice day.
Have been watching the 'outside' journalists on their Korean govt. tour. These people don't even have modern equipment to farm but their gov't. has money to spend on its military. This was the 4th failed attempt to launch a missile - why the gov't feels the need to act aggressively is beyond me. 60 yrs. and they still can't build a missile, can't feed their people, won't cooperate in any way when there is no threat - they are the ones threatening. They are still fighting a war that is long over and only exists in their own minds.
They are obviously incapable of any rational thought. They are uneducated and like it that way - keep the peasants down for total control. Too bad they have uneducated "scientists", too.
Sorry - no aid. Why our gov't persists in bothering with them is beyond me!! They are what they are - their mindset isn't going to change. All we can do is keep an eye on them.
Absolutely.
I wonder if they had any intention of success. The launch button and self-destruct buttons are probably on the same control panel...hmmmm
WOW!!! cancels food aid That's showing em!! My God Mr President get some balls!!
Greg....B.O. has kept his balls in in Mrs. O's purse for years
Actually, I think she had them made into earrings.
yeah, that's a good idea. Lets punish starving and dying civilians for a government action. MORONS. But hwy not, right. We already punish our own poor and starving for the actions of criminal banks and military contractors. Our government is NO better than North Koreas. I find it rather amusing and pathetic that anyone would believe our government is really so much better. And the party in power makes no difference in this because both do exactly the same kinds of things.
N.K.....I point at YOU and laugh!
Has anyone seen a Video of this. I would just like to confirm what's up. Japan couldn't confirm What's up untill we told them, and they have pretty good tech. Just show us a darn Video so we can trust the so called facts.
Post if anyone knows where to view this. This is silly.
Shame on Obama & double shame on Hillary Clinton for cancelling food aid to North Korea. Do they really think that the people starving to death had a choice in the decision to launch a missle? Grow the hell up!
N.Korea has lied about everything. Do you really believe they would have given the food to the people, NOOOOOOOO, it would have gone to the military.
Thinking you are clueless to say the least. The food aid does not get to who needs it. The people in camps see nothing. Why not read a book so you can talk about this with some bit of intelligence!
My big question is why are we feeding the communists of N. Korea? Nothing like giving aid to the enemy. Instead of providing food to this country, send Hilary there, permanently.
It's about time that we faced the fact that (as our domestic food prices soar) the USA has become the Meals on Wheels to the Third World, NORTH KOREA is just a small part of that.
That'll show 'em Obama! That'll work too! Starve 'em some more! Good job!
Looking at their new "leader" I think he can go awhile without food
So where is the Video?
I would be willing to bet that the missle was intercepted by either U.S. OR alies and was purposefully shot down. Anyway, i hope thats what really happened! God Bless USA all the way!
U.S. taxpayers are feeding a nation sworn to destroy them...? gtfoh lol...
Good! Our policy of appeasement with North Korea does not work. The food and other assistance just goes to support their military. I say let China their main ally supply them with whatever they need. Let North Korea develop nukes and rockets as a nation state they are within their rights to build weapons of mass destruction regardless of what that toothless organization called the U.N. says. Rather, say to North Korea you light up one of those rockets against Japan, South Korea or the United States and we will level you country...China and Russia need to understand our resolve. Ditto for Iran if they want weapons of mass destruction and if they are foolish to use them we can reduce our arsenal by sending them a few presents. All this talk coupled with bribes to play nice accomplishes absolutely nothing.
As much as I hate saber rattling, I have to agree with you, this is one country whose leadership just doesn't get it, or maybe they do since they keep their populace in a general state of starvation and spend all their resources on the military. It really is disconcerting to see the U.S. headed in the same direction, obviously the politicians here don't get it either, while we spend more than 8 times what the Chinese do and our military budget outspends the rest of the world put together, our highways, bridges, electrical grid, etc. are going to hell, and while we're building the infrastructure of Iraq and Afghanistan, our people are going un-employed and losing hope and economic power.
PLEASE explain WHY, ONCE AGAIN the US is helping another country that CLEARLY is against us! We asked NICELY "as the US ALWAYS does" NOT to send out these missles but once again "AS ALWAYS" we are LAUGHED AT and they do it ANYWAY! Gee....that's just great. Why doesn't the US STOP PUSSY footing around and for ONCE take SERIOUS action! YES, it might mean war and YES that would be bad but DAMMIT the US NEEDS to get back on her feet and not be the laughing nation that we have become to all the other countries!!!!! Sorry people,but we are NO LONGER the one that everyone fears....we are now LAUGHED AT and IGNORED.
it is an embarassing day for the US