North Korea announces that it will carry out more rocket launches and a nuclear test targeting the United States.<br/> <br />It's a move raising concerns for Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY LEON PANETTA, SAYING:<br/> <br />"We are very concerned with North Korea's continuing provocative behavior<br/> <br />North Korea is not believed to have the technology to deliver a nuclear warhead capable of hitting the United States. However its December launch showed it had the capacity to deliver a rocket that could potentially put San Francisco in range.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY LEON PANETTA, SAYING:<br/> <br />"The United States is--, we are fully prepared, we remain prepared to deal with any kind of provocations from the North Koreans. But I hope in the end that they determine that it is better to make a choice to become part of the international family."<br/> <br />North Korea's announcement came after the U.N. agreed to a U.S.-backed resolution to censure and sanction North Korea for its rocket launch in December that breached U.N. rules.
