North Korea satellite unsteady in orbit, U.S. officials say

SEOUL, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- North Korea's recently launched satellite is "tumbling in orbit," according to U.S. officials – making the object useless. But Pyongyang vowed to launch more satellites into space.

The unsteady orbit of the Kwangmyongsong-4, an earth observation satellite, is taking place about 300 miles above ground, CBS News reported.

Critics have said the satellite launch, which has been touted as a victory in Pyongyang, is a cover for a test of the North's ballistic missile technology.

That means satellite failure is irrelevant to North Korea's goals, according to U.S. officials, who said the equipment needed for a nuclear ballistic missile launch is identical to the technology put to use on Saturday, ABC News reported.

U.S. President Barack Obama said the launch is another example of North Korea's behavior that violates previously passed U.N. Security Council resolutions.

"This is an authoritarian regime. It's provocative. It has repeatedly violated U.N. resolutions, tested and produced nuclear weapons and now they are trying to perfect their missile launch system," Obama said.

North Korea continues to disregard international condemnations of its actions and aired footage of celebrations in Pyongyang.

South Korean news service Newsis reported several North Korean officials gave commemorative speeches.

Secretary of the Workers' Party Kim Ki Nam said the launch of the Kwangmyongsong proved the "right of independence and powerful national strength" of North Korea, adding that while others may call it a "violation," North Korea is to continue launching satellites into "the blue skies" over the country.

China, North Korea's closest economic partner, has condemned the launch but state-owned news agency Xinhua said in an editorial the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula should be considered before passing new sanctions.

"Dialogue on the North Korea issue should be reopened," Xinhua stated, adding China's rival Japan could use the current crisis as an opportunity to deepen the alliance with the United States and South Korea.