North Korea threatens US over rockets launches

In this photo released by Korea Aerospace Research Institute, South Korea’s rocket lifts off from its launch pad at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Korea, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013. South Korea says it has successfully launched a satellite into orbit from its own soil for the first time. Wednesday’s high-stakes launch comes just weeks after archrival North Korea successfully launched its own satellite to the surprise of the world. AP

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea is threatening to retaliate for what it calls U.S. double standards over recent rocket launches by Pyongyang and U.S. ally Seoul.

A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman did not elaborate on what that might entail in his comments Saturday to the official Korean Central News Agency. But Pyongyang has recently threatened to conduct its third nuclear test in response to what it calls U.S. hostility.

Washington says Seoul’s rocket launch Wednesday had no military intent while Pyongyang’s in December was a test of banned ballistic missile technology.

The U.N. Security Council has imposed new sanctions on Pyongyang for its launch. Pyongyang says it should be allowed to launch satellites for peaceful purposes.

Both Koreas say their satellites are working properly. U.S. experts say Pyongyang’s satellite is apparently malfunctioning.