Response Time

A senior U.S. administration official warned earlier today that North Korea would face consequences if and when it carried out its expected satellite test launch later on this week. According to the White House transcript of a briefing held "on background" in London, where President Obama is meeting other world leaders:

Q Could you go into a little more depth on the North Korea subject, especially with regard to the missile launch plans?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, I can say a little more about our position and what we said. In terms of the Chinese, you want to speak to the Chinese. But we’re – the President made clear we’re deeply concerned about the prospective missile launch by the North Koreans. They call it a satellite launch, but that’s a distinction, not a difference; it’s the same technology. But this is provocative to the region and contrary to U.N. Security Council resolutions. And there will be a reaction. There will be a reaction to it.

Q Can you say what the reaction is?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, we -- there are U.N. Security Council resolutions, so we -- I expect that we will be talking in the U.N. Security Council about how to respond.

We want to see the Six-Party talks continue, and North Korea has been engaged in lots of actions over the last few months that have prevented that process from continuing. We’d like to see it continue.