North Korea on Sunday defied international warnings and launched a long-range rocket, The Associated Press (AP) reported.The launch was confirmed by South Korean officials about two hours after an eight-day launch window opened Sunday morning. It will be considered a further provocation by Washington and its allies and likely draw more sanctions and condemnation from the United Nations, noted AP.
North Korean rocket and nuclear tests are seen as crucial steps toward the North's ultimate goal of a nuclear armed long-range missile arsenal. North Korea says its nuclear and missile programs are necessary to defend itself against what it calls decades of “U.S. hostility.” (READ MORE)
