A former senior White House aide on Asia policy says North Korea's recently announced plan to launch a satellite into orbit would violate an agreement with the U.S. on the suspension of ballistic missile testing. Victor Cha, the former director of the National Security Council for Asian Affairs, says when Pyongyang agreed last month to suspend missile tests, that "clearly" included a moratorium on satellite launches, as well. Cha said North Korea was the only country that makes a distinction between satellite launches and ballistic missile tests, calling the announcement a "slap in the face" to the international community.
North Korea said on Friday it would launch a satellite into orbit in mid-April for "peaceful scientific purposes." It says the launch does not violate the agreement with the United States. Last month, North Korea agreed to suspend uranium enrichmen, and allow the return of United Nations weapons inspectors and stop long-range missile tests. At the same time, the United States agreed to send North Korea desperately needed food aid.