05 December 2012

Editorial: North Korea’s Satellite Launch Dilemma


By Scott A. Snyder

North Korea’s announcing its plan to pursue another satellite launch between December 10 and 22 may have been unwelcome, but it should not have been entirely unanticipated. North Korea defiantly pledged to continue to test long-range multi-stage rockets in its response to a UN Security Council Presidential statement condemning North Korea’s failed April 12 launch. Another launch will likely have a disproportionate political impact since its announcenment comes prior to national elections scheduled in Japan on December 16 and in South Korea on December 19. Here’s a rundown of the challenges a North Korean satellite launch poses during this political transition period:

Read the full story at The Diplomat