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North Korea 'has launched rocket' North Korea 'has launched rocket'
(20 minutes later)
North Korea has 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. The rocket blasted off from the Musudan-ri launch site in the northeast of the country at 0230 GMT. It 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 is a cover for a long-range missile test.
The US called it "provocative", while Japan said it was "regrettable". Japan, South Korea and the US condemned the launch as a provocative act.
The South Korean government said it would "deal firmly and resolutely" with Pyongyang. America would take "appropriate steps to let North Korea know that it cannot threaten the safety and security of other countries with impunity", a US state department spokesman said.
The rocket blasted off just before midday on Sunday from the Musudan-ri launch pad in the north-east of North Korea. Japan says it is seeking an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
"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. No intercept
The US State Department and South Korea's presidential office also confirmed the launch. The rocket blasted off just before midday North Korean time, within a pre-announced launch window.
Japan said it did not try to intercept the rocket, as it had indicated that it would if its territory was threatened. It flew over Japan towards the Pacific, with two booster stages dropping into the ocean to the east and west of Japan.
North Korea's neighbours say the launch violates United Nations resolutions. Japan said it did not try to intercept the rocket, as it had indicated it would if its territory was threatened.
North Korea says that the launch is part of what it calls peaceful space development.
An unidentified South Korean official told Yonhap news agency that the rocket did appear to be carrying a satellite. It is not clear whether a satellite was successfully put into space.
But Pyongyang's neighbours believe the real aim of the launch was to test long-range missile technology for the Taepodong-2 weapon.
They 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:
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