US to take 'appropriate steps' after NKorea launch

WASHINGTON, April 4 (Reuters) - North Korea's rocket launch on Sunday is a provocative act and will lead the United States to take appropriate steps to show Pyongyang it cannot threaten other nations with impunity, the U.S. State Department said.

"The launch by the North Koreans is seen as a provocative act and will prompt the United States to take appropriate steps to let North Korea know that it cannot threaten the safety and security of (other) countries with impunity," State Department spokesman Fred Lash told reporters in a conference call.