Obama team: North Korea is isolating itself

Obama team: North Korea is isolating itself

The White House said tonight that North Korea's failed missile launch is a "pr ovocative action" that "threatens regional security, violates international law and contravenes its own recent commitments."

"North Korea is only further isolating itself by engaging in provocative acts, and is wasting its money on weapons and propaganda displays while the North Korean people go hungry. North Korea's long-standing," said the statement from White House spokesman Jay Carney.

The statement did not mention any possible efforts to seek United Nations sanctions against North Korea, something U.S. officials had pledged to do if a rocket launch was made.

The U.N. Security Council has a meeting scheduled for Friday morning.

The White House statement also did not mention the failed nature of the launch, but monitoring countries said the rocket broke up shortly after impact.

"We suspect the North Korean missile has fallen as it divided into pieces minutes after liftoff," said South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok, speaking to reporters in Seoul.

North Korean space officials said the rocket was meant to send a satellite into orbit to study crops and weather patterns.

Carney's full statement.

Despite the failure of its attempted missile launch, North Korea's provocative action threatens regional security, violates international law and contravenes its own 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. The United States remains vigilant in the face of North Korean provocations, and is fully committed to the security our allies in the region.

The President has been clear that he is prepared to engage constructiv ely with North Korea. However, he has also insisted that North Korea live up to its own commitments, adhere to its international obligations and deal peacefully with its neighbors.

North Korea is only further isolating itself by engaging in provocative acts, and is wasting its money on weapons and propaganda displays while the North Korean people go hungry. North Korea's long-standing development of missiles and pursuit of nuclear weapons have not brought it security -- and never will. North Korea will only show strength and find security by abiding by international law, living up to its obligations, and by working to feed its citizens, to educate its children, and to win the trust of its neighbors.