[Kaye:] A spectacular failure, an epic embarrassment. That pretty much sums up global reaction to North Korea's botched rocket launch Friday morning, the one that hardly got off the ground. In fact the rocket broke into pieces after just 90 seconds in the air eventually ending up in the sea. In response, the United States has suspended food aid to that country, the White House calling the act a violation of international law. Joining me now an expert on this issue, former U.S. ambassador to the UN and former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. Governor, good morning to you.
[Bill Richardson, Former Ambassador To Un:] Good morning. Nice to be with you.
[Kaye:] Thank you. Listen, aside from the fact that this was a total failure, did we actually learn anything from this?
[Richardson:] Well, yeah. We learned several things. One that their intercontinental ballistic missile system still has some real technology gaps. So I don't see how they could eventually shoot something the distance of the United States. They're years away from that. Secondly, we did learn that in the past, they've had two unsuccessful launches they never admitted to. This time they did admit to it because I think there is more technology, more cell phones in North Korea. What we don't know is what are they going to do next? The danger is that they will pursue an underground nuclear test to atone for this failure, which is a blow to the new leader, Kim Jong Un.
[Kaye:] North Korea of course has said all along that this was just a satellite launch, a weather satellite, but it is still military technology. So do you think, as many have said, that this was a cover for something bigger, maybe even a future plan?
[Richardson:] Yes, yes, I do think it was a test of ballistic missile technology. It was very clear in the United Nations Security Council that this was prohibited. The North Koreans, when they negotiated with us, with the United States in exchange for food aid, they would not pursue additional nuclear technology. This test clearly was a violation of that, although there is a dispute in the understanding. So, yeah. I think mostly it was a strong, symbolic celebration of the new leader exceeding the power as the supreme leader of North Korea celebrating the hundred years of Kim Il-Song who was the founder of North Korea and also to demonstrate to the population of North Korea that they had a new leader, that he was powerful, prestigious. So this has obviously affected them. I think where we go from here, we got to be very careful. We can't gloat about this. We can't provoke them. I think it's important that we keep our cool. The six-party countries try to negotiate, put pressure on North Korea, especially China that has leverage over them because they provide food and fuel to that country.
[Kaye:] The U.S. has certainly announced it is suspending the food aid, but really is that enough? Should there be more sanctions? What would you advise the president?
[Richardson:] Well, I would pursue Security Council condemnation resolution. That should be coming very soon. I don't think you can pursue any additional sanctions. Maybe there are some potential sanctions that you can pursue that deal with them having access to sensitive military technology. But outside of that, they're sanctioned to death. I think what is important is keep the food aid in suspension. Don't cancel it. Let them make the next move. If it's a hostile move obviously, there's not much you can do for now. But I think history has shown that if you isolate them, if you just punish them, this gives them opportunities to react negatively, so I think we need to keep our cool. Kkey players are South Korea, Japan, Russia, but especially China that has leverage over North Korea.
[Kaye:] And given your experience
[Richardson:] I think the administration is acting
[Kaye:] Given your experience, sorry to interrupt you there, how soon might you think that we'll see another test from them?
[Richardson:] Well, I think the odds are pretty high that they will do something else like an underground nuclear test. I think internally they have to recover from this blow. That's what I think they will do. But they keep you can't predict what North Korea does. I've been dealing with them for years. You don't know what their next step is. The problem, though, is that they have at least six nuclear weapons. They've got ballistic missile technology, a million point two men in arms. We've got close to 30,000 troops in the DMZ between north and South Korea. We have an alliance with South Korea. So that whole area is a tinder box. So you have to watch it. You have to be careful. You can't provoke them, but you got to be tough with them.
[Kaye:] Governor, appreciate your insight, a pleasure to have you on the show this morning. Thank you.
[Richardson:] Thank you.
[Kaye:] Tony Laurach is not like most people. When tornado sirens sound, most people run for cover right. Well Tony chases the storm. Tony shot this video yesterday of a tornado touching down in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Tony is on the road again today. He's in Kansas now heading to Nebraska with more severe storms expected there. I spoke to him just a short time ago.
[Voice Of Tony Laurach, Storm Chaser/meteorologist:] We are in Shawnee, Kansas heading up to Nebraska today. Today looks very, very potent, very reminiscent of many of the outbreaks that we saw back in 2011.
[Kaye:] How many storms is this something that what are we expecting today in terms of the storms? Are you expecting to find what you might call a super outbreak?
[Laurach:] Today has the potential to be a super outbreak with tornadoes possible from Nebraska all the way down into north Texas. Many of those tornadoes could potentially be very, very strong, impacting a lot of people from Lincoln, Nebraska down all the way down to Wichita Falls, Texas.
[Kaye:] What kind of gear do you take with you on a trip like this when you're going to take on a tornado?
[Laurach:] We are equipped with satellites and mobile Internet for radar services. We also have a GPS. All of our camera equipment and of course a trusty vehicle to ensure that we're able to get in and out of there safely.
[Kaye:] I know when you spoke with one of our producers you said you have more food and mellow yellow than you can shake a stick at, so I guess you have pretty good supplies.
[Laurach:] Yeah. I've been on the road for the last seven days and food and drink on the road is very handy to have in the back seat and we'll make sure I never run out of that.
[Kaye:] How do you know when it's too dangerous? Is there ever a time where you won't chase a storm?
[Laurach:] My goal is to try to tell the story, not become the story. So I try to keep a safe distance in front of the storm so that I don't end up in any kind of trouble.
[Kaye:] Pretty brave guy. We plan to have Tony back on the show tomorrow for CNN Sunday morning. He'll have the latest from the storm that he was chasing. Do you know what your online reputation is? You might want to because your boss might want to know as well. We're doing some social media spring cleaning, next.