The Upcoming North Korean Launch

The recent North Korean plans to launch an “earth-observation” satellite into orbit have led to protests from Japan, China, South Korea and the United States of America. Japan has recently issued orders to destroy the missile should any part of it threaten to fall onto Japanese territory. Japan has already begun preparations by distributing missile batteries across their bases and by equipping Japanese destroyers with a weapon system that will detect and destroy any incoming missile. The U.S., equally against the satellite launch, has stationed warships near Japan to monitor the missile launch. While China is a North Korean ally and acknowledges their right to the peaceful use of outer space, it is still concerned that North Korea might violate United Nations restrictions. South Korea has joined in on the protest, seeing the launch as not only an international threat but as another attempt to influence the South Korean presidential election. Limiting the development of nuclear weapons across the world is at the forefront of the United Nations concerns.  I think that nuclear weapons exist as a means of protecting a country from attack or attacking a country in a war. By building nuclear weapons, a country assumes a more powerful political position in global politics. It can use that power as a preventive measure against the potential enemies. Having nuclear weapons also can lead to international weariness or scorn. I think the main concern of all the countries opposing the satellite launch is that it will lead to North Korea having nuclear capability.