North Korea sharply rejected criticism from the United States (U.S.) over its alleged failed test launch of a rocket carrying a military reconnaissance satellite on Wednesday.
North Korean state media quoted Kim Yo Jong, the sister of authoritarian ruler Kim Jong Un, as saying.
“The U.S. is a group of gangsters who will claim that even if North Korea launches a satellite in space orbit through the balloon, it is illegal and threatening.’’
The U.S., Japan and South Korea all condemned the failed North Korean rocket launch.
They accused North Korea of using technology directly related to its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program.
UN resolutions prohibit the country from conducting any launch with such rockets, which depending on the design, can also carry a nuclear warhead.
North Korea is largely isolated internationally and has paid little attention to the UN.
North Korea has repeatedly tested ballistic missiles, including on several occasions this year.
