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North Korea rocket launch condemned internationally North Korea rocket launch condemned internationally
(about 2 hours later)
There's been widespread international condemnation of the launch by North Korea of a long-range rocket.There's been widespread international condemnation of the launch by North Korea of a long-range rocket.
The United States called it a "highly provocative act that threatens regional security". The United States called the test a "highly provocative act that threatens regional security".
The UN Security Council is meeting in emergency session to discuss the launch, which was conducted in defiance of a UN resolution banning Pyongyang from conducting missile tests.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon termed it a "clear violation".
China, Pyongyang's closest ally, expressed regret that North Korea had launched a satellite "in spite of the extensive concerns of the international community".China, Pyongyang's closest ally, expressed regret that North Korea had launched a satellite "in spite of the extensive concerns of the international community".
A UN resolution bans North Korea from conducting ballistic missile tests.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the launch was a "clear violation" of that resolution.
The Unha-3 rocket, launched at 09:49 local time (00:49 GMT), appears to have followed its planned trajectory, with stages falling in expected areas.The Unha-3 rocket, launched at 09:49 local time (00:49 GMT), appears to have followed its planned trajectory, with stages falling in expected areas.
North Korea says a satellite has been placed in orbit; the US confirmed an object had been put into space.North Korea says a satellite has been placed in orbit; the US confirmed an object had been put into space.
US National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said: "This action is yet another example of North Korea's pattern of irresponsible behaviour. Given this current threat to regional security, the United States will strengthen and increase our close coordination with allies and partners.US National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said: "This action is yet another example of North Korea's pattern of irresponsible behaviour. Given this current threat to regional security, the United States will strengthen and increase our close coordination with allies and partners.
"The international community must work in a concerted fashion to send North Korea a clear message that its violations of UN Security Council resolutions have consequences.""The international community must work in a concerted fashion to send North Korea a clear message that its violations of UN Security Council resolutions have consequences."
Japan has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Reports suggested this could take place shortly.
The launch comes a week ahead of the South Korean presidential election and roughly a year after the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, on 17 December 2011.The launch comes a week ahead of the South Korean presidential election and roughly a year after the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, on 17 December 2011.
'Extremely regrettable''Extremely regrettable'
The three-stage rocket was launched from a site on North Korea's west coast. The three-stage rocket blasted off from a site on North Korea's west coast.
"The launch of the second version of our Kwangmyongsong-3 [Unha-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 launch of the second version of our Kwangmyongsong-3 [Unha-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.The rocket had been scheduled to pass between the Korean peninsula and China, with a second stage coming down off the Philippines.
"The missile was tracked on a southerly azimuth [angle]. Initial indications are that the first stage fell into the Yellow Sea," a North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) statement said."The missile was tracked on a southerly azimuth [angle]. Initial indications are that the first stage fell into the Yellow Sea," a North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) statement said.
"The second stage was assessed to fall into the Philippine Sea. Initial indications are that the missile deployed an object that appeared to achieve orbit.""The second stage was assessed to fall into the Philippine Sea. Initial indications are that the missile deployed an object that appeared to achieve orbit."
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 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.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, meanwhile, called an emergency meeting of his top advisers. His foreign minister said the government strongly condemned the launch.South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, meanwhile, called an emergency meeting of his top advisers. His foreign minister said the government strongly condemned the launch.
In China, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei expressed "regret" at the launch. A commentary from state-run Xinhua news agency called on all parties to remain "cool headed" and engage in "trust-building measures".In China, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei expressed "regret" at the launch. A commentary from state-run Xinhua news agency called on all parties to remain "cool headed" and engage in "trust-building measures".
Britain has summoned the North Korean ambassador for urgent talks.
Foreign Office Minister Sayeeda Warsi told parliament the ballistic missile test was unacceptable.
April failureApril failure
North Korea had said two days ago that the launch could be delayed because of a technical problem, extending the window until 29 December.North Korea had said two days ago that the launch could be delayed because of a technical problem, extending the window until 29 December.
It is believed to be working on the development of a long-range missile capable of reaching the west coast of the US mainland.It 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.
Officials fear it could be working towards a missile on which a nuclear warhead could be mounted - but it is not thought to have fully developed either the missile or the warheads yet.Officials fear it could be working towards a missile on which a nuclear warhead could be mounted - but it is not thought to have fully developed either the missile or the warheads yet.
Are you in the region? What is your reaction to the launch? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in the region? What is your reaction to the launch? Send us your comments using the form below.