On Sunday, February 7, Korean Central Television announced a successful launch of observation satellite Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4. South Korean intelligence claims this is not a satellite at all, as it is too light to contain all the necessary electronics, and that the whole story is a cover-up for a ballistic missile test (ballistic missiles can be used to deliver nuclear weapons, not only satellites to orbit). This is why the world is alarmed: US Secretary General Ban Ki-moon asked Pyongyang to halt 'provocative actions', North Korea's neighbors — China, Russia, South Korea, and Japan — also denounced the launch. The UN Security Council promised to impose stricter sanctions on North Korea.
In the photo: North Koreans dance on the Kim Il Sung Square to celebrate a satellite launch.