Embarrassed by rocket crash, North Korea may try nuclear test

By Maxim Duncan and Ju-min Park

PYONGYANG/SEOUL | Fri Apr 13, 2012 12:58pm EDT
 

(Reuters) - North Korea said its much hyped long-range rocket launch failed on Friday, in a very rare and embarrassing public admission of failure by the hermit state and a blow for its new young leader who faces international outrage over the attempt.
The isolated North, using the launch to celebrate the 100th birthday of the dead founding president Kim Il-sung and to mark the rise to power of his grandson Kim Jong-un, is now widely expected to press ahead with its third nuclear test to show its military strength.
"The possibility of an additional long-range rocket launch or a nuclear test, as well as a military provocation to strengthen internal solidarity is very high," a senior South Korean defense ministry official told a parliamentary hearing.

MORE: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/13/us-north-korea-rocket-idUSBRE83B1OR20120413

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