Romney criticizes Obama over North Korea rocket launch

Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney condemned the launch of a long-range rocket by North Korea, saying that it presented "a clear and growing threat to the United States" and that it highlighted the "incompetence" of the Obama administration.

"Although the missile test failed, Pyongyang's action is another blatant violation of unanimous UN Security Council resolutions and demonstrates once again that Pyongyang is committed to developing long-range missiles with the potential of carrying nuclear weapons," Romney said in a statement.

At 7:39 a.m. local time, North Korea launched a rocket it said would place a satellite in orbit, according to Yonhap news.

In advance of the launch, the gesture was seen as a direct threat to Japan. The US has said the launch would draw immediate punitive measures.

Along with South Korea, the countries had seen the launch as an attempt to further the North's threatening military capabilities.

The White House said before the launch that a North Korean rocket "threatens regional security, violates international law and reneges on North Korea’s recent commitments."

"While this action is not surprising given North Korea's pattern of aggressive behavior, any missile activity by North Korea is of concern to the international community," White House press secretary Jay Carney said in a statement Thursday before the launch.

Carney went on to say that Obama will continue to "engage constructively" with North Korea, and he urged the country to "live up to its own commitments."

Romney, however, lambasted the Obama administration for emboldening the North Korean regime and undermining the security of the United States and its allies.

"Instead of approaching Pyongyang from a position of strength, President Obama sought to appease the regime with a food-aid deal that proved to be as naïve as it was short-lived," he said.

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