UN council to meet in emergency session on North Korea

The Jakarta Post, John Helprin, The Associated Press, United Nations | Sun, 04/05/2009 10:27 AM

Japan is requesting an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council to deal with North Korea's rocket launch.

Spokesman Yutaka Arima says Japan's U.N. mission asked for a meeting of the 15-nation council Sunday.

The request must be approved by Mexico's mission to the U.N., which holds the council presidency this month.

The U.S. and South Korean governments confirmed North Korea launched a long-range rocket launch that flew over Japan.

North Korea says its intent was to put a communications satellite into space. The U.S., South Korea, Japan and others suspect Pyongyang of improperly testing long-range missile technology.

U.N. diplomats are discussing ways to affirm existing sanctions on North Korea against its nuclear program and long-range missile tests.

Related Articles:

North Korea space launch 'fails'

U.N. Security Council to meet on N. Korea

North Korea launches rocket over Japan