As if President Obama didn't have enough on his plate already, Kim Jong-il gave the President, along with the rest of the world, a larger plate to deal with. At 4:30 this morning North Korea launched a rocket in their attempt to thrust a satellite into outer space. According to Washington officials, the rocket failed to go into orbit but flew at least 2,000 miles. This is double the range of a rocket they tested in 1998, which raises fear across the world of a long-range missile attack. Although their rocket failed to reach space, the North Korean media was praising Kim Jong-il's actions and insisted that the satellite was not only successfully circling the Earth, but broadcasting North korean patriotic songs as well.
While the United Nations is not yet sure what actions they will take, President Obama has firmly condemned North Korea for their missile launch, calling it a "provocative act." China and Russia on the other hand are not yet convinced that North Korea has done anything wrong, but are still studying the matter.
What it comes down to, even if you believe that North Korea should have the right to pursue their nuclear and space program development, is that Kim Jong-il is depriving his citizens of a good life by actions such as these which will only further ruin any hope they have left at restoring a relationship with the western world. China remains one of the only countries that continues to import food, oil, and other aid to the ailing country. If Kim Jong-il wants to see his country prosper he needs to stop launching rockets such as the ones he launched today, and join the civilized world in their pursuit of a peace.
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