North Korea Launches Long-Range Missile; Emergency Meeting at the Security Council

North Korea launched a long-range missile early Sunday, February 6, despite international sanctions; diplomats at the United Nations have stated that the Security Council will hold an emergency meeting to assess the situation. The missile launch occurred at 9:30 AM. According to South Korea's Yonhap news agency, North Korean officials claim the missile launch was intended to place a satellite into orbit. However, this action contradicts sanctions that urge Pyongyang to refrain from such activities, as it is internationally considered a 'ballistic missile test.' According to Agence France-Presse, members of the UN Security Council will convene on Sunday, New York time, for an emergency session. The United States immediately condemned the long-range missile launch. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called it 'absolutely intolerable.' South Korean President Park Geun-hye also held a security meeting with her government members. China, North Korea's closest ally, expressed 'regret' over the missile launch. In recent weeks, it had been almost certain that Pyongyang would conduct a new 'test,' as major airlines in Japan had altered some flight paths to avoid potential collisions with the missile. On February 6, North Korea informed the International Maritime Organization that it would launch a missile between February 7 and 14. Previously, it had also notified UN-related organizations of its intention to place a satellite in space. This is the sixth time North Korea has launched a long-range missile. Western countries and their allies in the region have repeatedly warned about these tests. Last month, Pyongyang announced it had conducted a new nuclear test, which also faced international condemnation, although doubts were raised about its success. Yonhap reports that the new missile likely has a range of up to 10,000 kilometers, thus capable of reaching U.S. territory. North Korea has threatened the United States with a nuclear attack. The Security Council meeting is being held at the request of South Korea, Japan, and the United States. All three countries have stated that the launched missile violates international Security Council sanctions.