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North Korea defies warnings to launch rocket North Korea defies warnings to launch rocket
(35 minutes later)
North Korea has launched its rocket in defiance of international warnings, South Korea and Japan say. North Korea says it has successfully launched its rocket in defiance of international warnings.
The three-stage rocket was launched at 09:49 (00:49 GMT). Reports indicate it followed its intended trajectory, with stages falling in expected areas. Reports suggest the rocket, launched at 09:49 local time (00:49 GMT), followed its planned trajectory, with stages falling in expected areas. North Korea says a satellite has been put in orbit.
North Korea says its rocket is putting a satellite into space, but several nations say the launch is a cover for long-range missile development. North Korea's neighbours and the US have called the launch a cover for long-range missile development.
A previous launch in April failed when the rocket broke up after take-off. Japan has condemned it and South Korea convened an emergency meeting.
There has been no word yet from North Korea on this launch, which comes only two days after it warned that technical problems could force a delay. The launch comes a week ahead of the South Korean presidential election and roughly a year after the death of leader Kim Jong-il, on 17 December 2011.
It also comes a week ahead of the South Korean presidential election and roughly a year from the death of leader Kim Jong-il, who died on 17 December 2011.
'Extremely regrettable''Extremely regrettable'
The rocket was launched from a site on North Korea's west coast. It was scheduled to pass between the Korean peninsula and China, with a second stage coming down off the Philippines before launching the satellite into orbit. The three-stage rocket was launched from a site on North Korea's west coast.
The Japanese government, which put its armed forces on alert ahead of the launch, said the rocket appeared to have passed over parts of Okinawa prefecture, south of the Japanese mainland. "The launch of the second version of our Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite from the Sohae Space Centre... on December 12 was successful," state news agency KCNA said. "The satellite has entered the orbit as planned."
The rocket had been scheduled to pass between the Korean peninsula and China, with a second stage coming down off the Philippines.
South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported that the first stage of the rocket had come down in the Yellow Sea. Japan said more debris landed east of the Philippines.
The Japanese government, which put its armed forces on alert ahead of the launch, said the rocket had passed over parts of Okinawa prefecture, south of the Japanese mainland.
"The missile that North Korea calls a satellite passed over Okinawa around 10:01. We launched no interception," a government statement quoted by AFP news agency said."The missile that North Korea calls a satellite passed over Okinawa around 10:01. We launched no interception," a government statement quoted by AFP news agency said.
Japan had threatened to shoot down any debris which infringed on its territory, deploying naval vessels and land-based missile interceptors.Japan had threatened to shoot down any debris which infringed on its territory, deploying naval vessels and land-based missile interceptors.
South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported that the first stage of the rocket had come down in the Yellow Sea. Japan said more debris landed east of the Philippines. Its top government spokesman called the launch "extremely regrettable" and something that Japan "cannot tolerate".
Japan's top government spokesman called the launch "extremely regrettable" and something that Japan "cannot tolerate".
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, meanwhile, has called an emergency meeting of his top advisors.South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, meanwhile, has called an emergency meeting of his top advisors.
A spokesman for Seoul's defence ministry said assessment was needed to determine whether the launch had indeed been a success.
"There are many factors to determine whether it was successful or not ... we need more extensive analysis. We need more consultation with the United States since our own capability is limited," Kim Min-seok told journalists.
The US state department said it had "noted" the launch and would comment later.
April failure
Seoul, Washington and other nations had urged North Korea not to go ahead with the launch, warning that it would constitute a test of long-range missile technology banned under UN resolutions.Seoul, Washington and other nations had urged North Korea not to go ahead with the launch, warning that it would constitute a test of long-range missile technology banned under UN resolutions.
The US and its allies say the rocket launches represent banned missile tests because the basic technology is the same.The US and its allies say the rocket launches represent banned missile tests because the basic technology is the same.
North Korea is believed to be working on the development of a long-range missile capable of reaching the west coast of the US mainland.North Korea is believed to be working on the development of a long-range missile capable of reaching the west coast of the US mainland.
It has not previously successfully launched a three-stage rocket. Its most recent test, in April 2012, ended in failure, when the rocket flew for only a few minutes before exploding and crashing into the sea west of the Korean peninsula.It has not previously successfully launched a three-stage rocket. Its most recent test, in April 2012, ended in failure, when the rocket flew for only a few minutes before exploding and crashing into the sea west of the Korean peninsula.
The closed communist nation has also carried out two nuclear tests, in 2006 and 2009. International talks on ending its nuclear ambitions have been stalled for several years.The closed communist nation has also carried out two nuclear tests, in 2006 and 2009. International talks on ending its nuclear ambitions have been stalled for several years.