Mexico concerned by North Korean rocket launch

The Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico expressed its concern at the decision of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to launch a rocket using ballistic missile technology.

"Mexico regrets this type of action, given that it impedes the efforts of the international community to foster an environment of peace and cooperation in the Korean peninsula and in Northeast Asia," expressed the Ministry in a press release.

It reiterated its call to observe and comply with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, in particular those demanding that the Asian country "suspends the launches with ballistic missile technology and any acts of provocation".

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un went ahead with the launch just two hours after an eight-day window opened early Sunday, and a month after the country's fourth nuclear test. He ignored an appeal from China, its neighbor and important ally, not to proceed and in another slap to Beijing, he chose the eve of the Chinese New Year, the country's most important holiday.

Since its Jan. 6 nuclear test, which the North claimed was a powerful hydrogen bomb but experts believe was not, China and the United States have been negotiating the text of a new Security Council sanctions resolution.

The U.S., backed by its Western allies, Japan and South Korea, wants tough sanctions reflecting Kim's defiance of the Security Council. But diplomats say China, the North's key protector in the council, is reluctant to impose economic measures that could cause North Korea's economy to collapse.

The 15-member Security Council strongly condemned the launch and pledged to "expeditiously" adopt a new resolution with "further significant measures" - U.N. code for sanctions.