The 8 things you should know about the North Korea Missile Launch - Video

Everyone’s talking about North Korea’s missile launch this week. And sure, it’s a big deal, but it’s not the end of the world. Here’s some quick behind-the-news perspectives to help parse facts from fear-mongering.

Yes. The launch is a problem. Aside from violating U.N. resolutions against North Korean missile launches and reneging on a February 2012 agreement with the U.S. not to test missiles, North Korea appears determined to develop a nuclear weapons capability and a long-range delivery system to go with it. If this were to happen, North Korea would have the capability to threaten the U.S. Moreover, North Korea has shown its willingness to sell its missile technology to the highest bidder and to transfer its nuclear weapons know-how, which could at some point end up in the hands of terrorists. We cannot afford to let the North continue this activity unchecked.

But it likely won’t succeed. It is unlikely that the North will be successful in putting a satellite into orbit. This is its fourth attempt to do so, and each one before has failed. That being said, each test has shown that North Korean scientists are learning more.

We won’t know if it’s a satellite launch or a missile test till it’s over. North Korea has claimed that this test is not a violation of international law because it is a part of its space program. Since the technology is almost identical to the skills needed for a missile launch, the point is moot. However, we will know from the trajectory of the launch if the rocket is intended to be a long-range missile or a satellite. Even if the rocket is a satellite, there is no question that the North will learn a great deal from this launch and apply it to a long-range missile program.

This article was originally published on SFGate.com City Brights. Click to finish reading.