US Using Pyongyang Space Launch to 'Justify Military Buildup Against China'

On February 7, North Korea launched a long-range rocket that placed a satellite into orbit.

The United Nations swiftly condemned the launch, saying it defied a Security Council resolution banning North Korea from launching rockets that could be used as ballistic missiles to carry nuclear warheads.

The international criticism shows the double standard that is applied to North Korea, according to Hyun Lee, a member of the KPI, a US-based independent think tank dedicated to analyzing US policies toward Korea.

In an interview with Radio Sputnik's "Loud & Clear," Lee said countries around the world conduct launches similar to that of North Korea's without ever facing condemnation, let alone UN resolutions.

"The Western media conveniently confuses a space launch vehicle … with a ballistic missile whenever they're talking about North Korea," she said, adding that the technologies are "two very different things."

In response to the launch, Washington and Seoul will hold talks about deploying an advanced missile defense system, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), in South Korea to defend the region against the potential development of ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

KPI member Gregory Elich said US politicians are using North Korea as a pretext to "justify military buildup against China." Washington, he added, has been silent about THAAD's ability to  to detect impending missile launches – a function that will be used against China.

"If this THAAD battery is installed in South Korea, it will effectively incorporate South Korea in the US missile defense system, making it part of the military buildup against China," Elich said.