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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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The DPRK have failed 4 times to even get the first stage of the taepodong to work correctly yet Jon Kyl wants to spend billions of our tax $ to defend against said missile threat. Unnecessary. 'Sounds like Kyl and Kim have the same priorities. It's the wrong approach, mr. whip. I believe it was Benjamin Franklin who said an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Whooppee, the Great Satan finds itself playing God with North Korea (starving children) once more. I remember the 500,000 Iraqi babies that died as a result of the vindictive US/NATO sanctions on Iraq in the 1990's - playing God back then too, hum. Let's just hope God sees the United Snakes (US/Israel) in their shameful roles as genociders and aggressors. (Maybe he already has as the US hangs there like a used sanitary napkin bleeding and bankrupt and the predator Jews cannot get young Jews to do alyiah even when Israel pays for the plane ticket.
It's noticed that everytime that 1/2 of Zionist hell fires a Jericho III IRMB, the Great Satan pat's them in their pale white asses and then proceeds to send billion$ more for their Iron Dome and Magic wand missiles systems and a few million more to murder Palestinians with, who-ra!
cowboy..the next batch of meth you make..leave out the LSD... Your brain has already rotted from too much drugs. Seek help immediately.
Would anyone care to bet that Russia or even China will pick up where we leave off?
Honestly can they expect any different? The blatantly went against the advice and warnings of other countries to not fire the missile and now they have to deal with the consequences. I hope all that food the US is sending is given to their own starving.
Thats the problem with a lot of these government food programs, it doesn't get to to the poor people and corruption can result in converting these so called food donations into cash.
It's a major problem with Africa and other countries with governments and others blindly shipping large caches of food to corrupt entities. Bill Gates knows all about those problems. He doesn't want his billions squandered on corrupt war lords and is trying to work around those problems
Cutting off the food to the poor North Korean's is not going to discourage them from continuing the ICBM program. But what else can the USA do short of air strikes on their launch facilities?
If China would just say to North Korea "Stop That!" they probably would give up their "space program".
Did anyone else notice that there was "upside down lettering" near the top of the rocket? That might be a clue to why it failed. First time I ever noticed upside down lettering on a rocket on a launch pad before and thought it looked odd. It was in the recent shot with the two Koreans reaching inside a port on the side of the rocket. If they can't even get the lettering oriented in the right direction, there is a basic quality control problem.
North Korea is the poster child for what nepotism and cronyism gets you. No bang for your buck.
There is no holding now for NK to proceed further with their nuclear program and/or missile tests in light of US breaking the agreement (food aid for moratorium) unilaterally.
Since when did n korea ever live up to any agreements they made with the US GOVT ? NEVER
this vengeful zionist administration is behaving like israelis now. Since when do you turn someone away and not give them food unless they do exactly what you want? what DOES THAT SAY ABOUT you ? i'LL TELL YOU WHAT. iT SAYS THAT YOU ARE A COMPLETE MORON AND VERY MUCH LIKE THOSE STUPID KIDS THAT OFFER MONEY TO THE HOMELESS IF THE HOMELESS WILL DO STUPID STUNTS ON CAMERA LIKE HURT EACH OTHER...
Had to use all caps to catch your attention. Think about it. Would you give a homeless guy 2 dollars if only he repeated long live the republicans ???? That makes us all israeli @!$%#s. What horrible behavior.
The next time we offer the North Koreans food, they will tell us to shove it where the sun don't shine. And then we shouldn't wonder why. It's because we are now morons and on the wrong side.
Conrad ...........you on drugs??????????????????
Enough, enough U.S. saber rattling. Cut these mutts off completely and let them wither on the vine.
Kim Jung Ill said that they will put its missile program on ice for a 'fat boy'. No not bomb, the dear leader's kid.
A unidentified soucre told me ,,It was a SCUD missle from Iraq. It had a WMD in the rear end, The fuel was found floating on the ocean shortly after a Tsunami hit Japan.. N Korea ships gathered it up but failed to get all the water separated from the fuel. The WMD exploded just off the coast of S korea....Witnesses described it as Chinese made firecrakers with dazzling colored scenery.....N Korean news agency reports large number of dead workers near the missle launch site... All reported to be suicide with large number of bullet holes found in their heads. Stay tuned for late breaking news from the RIGHT WING LIBERAL LEFT CONSERVATIVE NEWS AGENCY
http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-facts/child-hunger-facts.aspx
click and read ! children are starving in these great united states and yet we choose to feed those who hate us . thanks a lot politicians for throwing our tax dollars overseas.
Muthatrucker..I dont know about the entire USA,,BUT here in Tn. we feed children breakfast and lunch in all our schools. IF any child is starving inthe USA, IT must have no parents that care whether the child has food or not. Facing our county judge over child neglect or not paying child support isnt pleasant, IT brings jail time.. free uniforms,, concrete beds with one blanket, no smoking.. visitation once a week for one hour maximum.. no food ,,drinks..candy. soap.toothpaste allowed to be brought in, That is sold in the jail house. Phone calls out side are automatic collect, NO cell phones.. TV is limited to 30 minute news reports....lol
How long does this go on? Obviously, the people of North Korea are suffering already, and they're not the leaders responsible for rocket launches. This is a ridiculous game that is wasting the lives of the people of North Korea. Fail on all sides.
if the food that we were giving to them was going to the people, why on earth are we not still giving it to them, why make the poor suffer for the actions of the leaders. they are already eating good. just look at him!!!!!!!
did anyone suspect that the breakup of this missile was well planned. it never touched any land mass, stage two didn't tough any person. this is a pissing content to show we can and we will. now we're talking
food shortages in another country., when the children are crying for food here. if someone doesn't shot this president soon, what is the f..k with the people in columbia. he is there, and all we hear is some whore f..king a secret agent . WTF. someone kill this @!$%# president fast. i'll pay for the bullet.
Have lunch with Israel pay for it then together bomb the hell out of korea, iran, and dare'em to do it again.
Hey, folks: This whole thing is redicoulus to start with. Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama made this proposed deal to start with. You don't appease a mad dog with food. He'll just turns around and bites you in the ass.
Just think, the White House promised to deliver 250,000 metric tons of food. Just think, a quarter billion metric tons of it. Outrages !! We have enough kids, as well as adults, who are starving every day and are sick most of the time from hunger. Two Hundred Fifty Thoausand Metric Tons. Our poilticians should be locked up and some people with decent brains should be asked to take over the shambles in thw White House and Congress. I know what hunger is and feels like, because I grew up during World War II, and rationing took place till the year ot 1951, which is six years after the War. Beware folks, they are going to give this Country away.
I don't know why the US even restarted shipping food to North Korea, their attitude toward us has not change since 1959. I would not send any kind of aid until North Korea allows inspectors in, disbands its nuclear quest and starts to take about peace on the peninsula. I don't know why the world even put up with North Korea. They should let them fetch for themselves, which I really do not think they can.
Like I said : STOP SENDING AID TO COUNTRY THAT WANTS TO NUKE US. Feed and provide jobs for unemployed Americans. We vote you idiots. You keep this stupidity up and we will fire everyone in DC.
Larry Francis
US Navy Veteran
How many times do politicians need to be taught you cannot reason with fanatics. If you cannot get close enough to shoot them (because they have fearful enemies...oooh I am so scared of the Chinese) then at LEAST STOP FEEDING THEM!!!!!!!!!! I swear Obama you make me wonder sometimes. You do read history books ...right?
Larry Francis US Navy Veteran
"Two Hundred Fifty Thoausand Metric Tons" to NK. Can I please have just a small amount of thet? I am a 99er and I can't even get the local food bank to help me. I make too much money on financial aid going to school full time. How is $17,500 a year in financial aid NOT qualify me for food from a food pantry? Our country is ran my uncaring itiots who think they can appeas fanatics by giving them aid.
Larry Francis
U Navy Veteran
What the hell we need a list of where our money is going. we as Americans should be able to have a (simple) list as to where our money is sent . I am having trouble making ends meet so let me know where i can save a few bucks by shutting off some other countries help so i can get caught up on my own shortfalls.
What is wrong with this picture.......
US cancels food aid to NK........
We have millions of people in the US that can use this aid. This countries priorities are screwed up!
I have a novel idea.....how about let's take care of the people here before helping other countries.
I don't understand why we would give our enemies food in the first place. Are we so stupid to think it's going to the general populous and not the army? I'm sorry to say the people of No. Korea must have to suffer the collateral damage (starvation) because of their leaders policies, not because of the US's refusal to pay extortion for hollow promises of peace from a tyrannical lying dictatorship.