North Korea missile launch 'highly provocative': White House
Purchase this article for republication
Buy SPH photos
US Ambassador to South Korea Sung Kim (right) and the US Forces Korea Commander General James Thurman (left) arrive to meet South Korean foreign minister Kim Sung Hwan (not pictured) after North Korea launched a rocket, at the foreign ministry in Seoul, Dec 12, 2012. Mr Vietor says the US will work with other nations and the UN Security Council "to pursue appropriate action" against North Korea. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House says North Korea's launch of a long-range ballistic missile is a "highly provocative act that threatens regional security".
National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor is calling the launch "another example of North Korea's pattern of irresponsible behaviour".
In a statement released late Tuesday, Mr Vietor says the US "remains vigilant in the face of North Korean provocations".
The United Nations, the US, South Korea and others see the launch as a cover for a test of technology for missiles that could be used to strike another nation with a nuclear warhead.
Related Stories
