Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has successfully launched a long-range ballistic rocket mounted with a satellite on Wednesday.
It was said before that technical problems might delay or even call off the launch but DPRK's official Korean Central News Agency confirmed the launch.
It said, "The second version of satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 successfully lifted off from the Sohae Space Center by carrier rocket Unha-3 on Wednesday".
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak convened an emergency security meeting immediately after the launch
South Korea's foreign minister Kim Sung-hwan said in an official statement the launch violates the UN resolution that bans the DPRK from conducting additional nuclear and missile tests, adding Pyongyang will face "further international isolation."
India also expressed its concern at the launch of a rocket. India's Ministry of External Affairs statement said, "This unwarranted action by the Government of DPRK has adversely impacted peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula. India calls on DPRK to refrain from such actions".
In April, North Korea's launching attempt had failed when the rocket broke up after take-off. This was its fifth attempt since 1998.
North Korea says it plans to put a satellite into space, but many countries believe the tests are a cover for weapons development.
The US and other nations had previously warned the North Korean launch would constitute a test of long-range missile technology banned under UN resolutions.
(with inputs from ANI and IANS)
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