North Korea is planning to launch a rocket into space next month, in violation of international sanctions and bilateral agreements with the United States, the Wall Street Journal reports:
North Korea said it would launch a rocket next month from a new facility on its northwest coast, in apparent violation of international sanctions and a promise to the U.S. just two weeks ago that it wouldn't test long-range missiles this year.
The U.S., South Korea and Japan called the announcement "highly provocative," saying it violated the North's promises to other countries, and urged Pyongyang not to proceed with a launch…
North Korea said the rocket would put a satellite into space, an explanation it used in two of its three previous tests of long-range missiles, each of which brought international condemnation and economic penalties.
The announcement comes weeks after the U.S. and North Korea reached an agreement under which the rogue nation would agree to freeze its weapons program in return for food aid.