U.S. halts North Korean food aid after country launches long-range missile

Apr 16 2012

"The U.S. will halt planned shipments of thousands of tons in food aid to North Korea after the reclusive Asian nation's launch of a long-range rocket, two Obama administration officials said," Bloomberg News reports (Talev, 4/13). "Under a recent food deal with the United States, North Korea agreed to refrain from long range missile launches and nuclear tests," CNN's "1600 Report" writes (Yellin, 4/12). "North Korea's rocket launch was a failed effort that nonetheless violated international law and jeopardized regional security, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said," according to Bloomberg (4/13).

"At the White House, President Barack Obama's aides suggest their hands are tied after Pyongyang announced the launch just weeks after the food deal was agreed," CNN writes. David Austin, North Korea program director for Mercy Corps who has visited the nation seven times since 2007, "says he is troubled that the United States plans to call off a massive shipment of food aid," which he said would have helped 2.4 million people, according to CNN (4/12). "The U.N. Security Council, where the United States is currently serving in the rotating presidency, would meet on Friday morning to discuss the North Korean action, an official said," but "the U.S. is not expected to seek an additional Security Council resolution against North Korea," according to the Associated Press/Washington Post (4/12).