White House vows punishment for DPRK

WASHINGTON - The White House on Wednesday vowed to work with its partners to ensure the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is punished for its launch of another satellite.

White House spokesman Jay Carney reiterated Washington's position that the DPRK's latest move is "a provocative act that threatens regional peace and security and undermines the global nonproliferation regime."

"So we will continue to work with our international partners to ensure that the North Korean regime is further isolated, that it is further punished for its flagrant violations of international obligations," Carney said at a regular press briefing, referring to UN Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874 banning all activities related to Pyongyang's ballistic missile program.

Washington and its allies saw Pyongyang's satellite launch as a disguised ballistic missile test.

"I don't have a preview of next steps, but we take this matter very seriously and we are not alone," Carney said, adding Washington was awaiting action in New York.

The Security Council on Wednesday condemned DPRK's fresh rocket launch, calling the move "a clear violation" of relevant resolutions and pledging continued consultations on "appropriate response."

The DPRK, following its failed attempt in April, announced on Wednesday that it successfully fired off a long-range rocket mounted with a satellite, insisting the launch is for peaceful scientific purposes only.

The DPRK has been hit with sanctions by the Security Council, Washington and some other countries over the years for its nuclear tests and other proliferation efforts.