President Lee vows 'stern' measures against N. Korean rocket

SEOUL, April 6 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak said Monday his country will take firm and stern measures against North Korea's launch of a rocket, calling it a "reckless act" that threatened the peace and stability of the world.

"North Korea's reckless act that threatens regional and global security cannot be
justified under any circumstances," the president said in his bi-weekly radio
address.
Pyongyang claimed Sunday it successfully put a communications satellite in space.
The claim was disputed by South Korea and the U.S. who said they have not
detected anything new in orbit.
Seoul, Washington and Tokyo had warned that the rocket launch, regardless of
whether it was for a satellite or a missile, would be sanctioned since it is
tantamount to a missile test.
"The government will deal firmly and sternly with the North's provocation," Lee
said.
Lee's speech Monday also focused on the global economic crisis as it marked his
first address to the nation since his return from the G-20 economic summit in
London last week.
The president said the world economy could recover earlier than expected if all
countries honor the agreements reached at the London summit.
"We can surely overcome the economic crisis even amid the security threats and
take our nation to the next stage, and we will certainly do so," Lee said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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