This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7982874.stm

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
North Korea 'has launched rocket' North Korea 'has launched rocket'
(20 minutes later)
North Korea appears to have launched a rocket, despite international appeals not to go ahead. North Korea has launched a rocket, despite international appeals not to go ahead.
Officials from Japan, South Korea and the US confirmed lift-off at 0230 GMT. The rocket appeared to have passed over Japan to the Pacific, Tokyo said.Officials from Japan, South Korea and the US confirmed lift-off at 0230 GMT. The rocket appeared to have passed over Japan to the Pacific, Tokyo said.
North Korea says it is sending a satellite into orbit, but its neighbours suspect the launch could be a cover for a long-range missile test.North Korea says it is sending a satellite into orbit, but its neighbours suspect the launch could be a cover for a long-range missile test.
They say it violates UN resolutions and have warned of consequences. The US called it "provocative", while Japan said it was "regrettable".
"A short time ago a flying object appeared to have been launched from North Korea," the Japanese government statement said. The South Korean government said it would "deal firmly and resolutely" with Pyongyang.
The US State Department and South Korea's presidential office also confirmed a launch. The rocket blasted off just before midday on Sunday from the Musudan-ri launch pad in the north-east of North Korea.
Japan did not try to intercept it, as it had indicated that it would if its territory was threatened, it said in a statement. "The projectile launched from North Korea today appears to have passed over towards the Pacific," the Japanese prime minister's office said in a statement.
The US called the launch "provocative" and the Japanese government described it as "regrettable". The US State Department and South Korea's presidential office also confirmed the launch.
Japan said it did not try to intercept the rocket, as it had indicated that it would if its territory was threatened.
North Korea's neighbours say the launch violates United Nations resolutions.
Are you in the region? What do you think of North Korea's apparent launch of a satellite? You can send us your views using the form below:Are you in the region? What do you think of North Korea's apparent launch of a satellite? You can send us your views using the form below:
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions