Hillary Clinton: missile launch exposes North Korea's fear of improved relations

Mrs Clinton suggested that North Korean leaders saw better diplomatic ties as a threat to the communist state's political system after a u-turn over the launch of what Pyongyang calls a "weather satellite".

Seen by other powers in the Pacific region as an advanced long-range missile, the planned launch has provoked international criticism just weeks after the country agreed to suspend its nuclear enrichment and missile testing programmes following talks with the US.

As well as claiming that the rocket launch showed that Pyongyang feared closer relations with the outside world, the US secretary of state warned that history points to the likelihood of "additional provocations" from North Korea in the wake of the test.

"The speed of the turnaround raises questions about Pyongyang's seriousness in saying that it desires to improve relations with us and its neighbours," Mrs Clinton said in a speech to cadets at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

"This launch will give credence to the view that North Korean leaders see improved relations with the outside world as a threat to their system.

"And recent history strongly suggests that additional provocations may follow."