North Korea launches rocket in defiance of critics

Isolated and impoverished North Korea launched its second long- range rocket of 2012 on Wednesday in what it said was a bid to put a satellite into space.

The North launched the rocket close to the first anniversary of the death of former leader Kim Jong-il and as elections loom in South Korea and Japan.

The launch, reported by South Korean media, was confirmed by South Korea's Defense Ministry.

Pyongyang says it is entitled to launch a satellite into space but critics say the rocket development is aimed at nurturing the kind of technology needed to mount a nuclear warhead on a long-range missile.

North Korea is banned from conducting missile and nuclear-related tests under U.N. sanctions imposed after its 2006 and 2009 nuclear tests.

The latest launch comes after a failed attempt in April that fizzled less than two minutes after blast-off.

Japan and South Korea put their armed forces on alert prior to the launch. The rocket is scheduled to pass between the Korean peninsula and China, with a second stage splashing down off the Philippines before launching the satellite into orbit.

Most political analysts believe the launch is designed to bolster the credentials of new leader Kim Jong-un as he cements his rule over the country of 22 million people.

A government official in Seoul said recently that the transition of power to Kim Jong-un did not appear to be going as smoothly as anticipated and there were signs that the regime was concerned over the possibility of rising dissent.

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Yonhap: #ROK Finance Minister announces government will take pre-emptive and swift actions to stem any market uncertainties re #DPRK launch.

While #Japan has issued public on record statements quickly there's yet no such comment from #ROK gov't -- all on background.

Both #Japan and #ROK officials, on background, now confirm 1st stage of #DPRK missile fell into Yellow Sea.

Kyodo: No "destroy order" issued by Japan government over N. Korea rocket

#DPRK stated goal was to put satellite into orbit, something it has failed to do 3 times previously. No word yet on whether sat is orbiting.

#ROK defense ministry to hold media briefing from 11:00 KST (in a few minutes).

#ROK defense ministry spokesman now holding news. conf being aired live in #ROK and Japan.

#ROK MND: Aegis ships spotted the #DPRK launch as it happened.

#Japan foreign ministry files official protest with #DPRK over launch (although the 2 countries have no diplomatic relations).

#ROK MND says it had been monitoring #DPRK launch preparations since Tuesday & never confirmed reports stage had been removed from pad.

KCNA confirms rocket launch says satellite has entered orbit. #DPRK

N Korea Missile Parts Reported In Yellow Sea, East China Sea http://s.nikkei.com/X8AC70

Japan U.N. envoy requests Security Council meet over Korea: Kyodo

Japan's envoy to the United Nations has requested that the Security Council convene following North Korea's rocket launch, Kyodo news agency reported.

North Korea launched a long-range rocket on Wednesday for the second time this year, and may have succeeded in putting a satellite into space, the stated aim of what critics say is a disguised ballistic missile test.

A spokeswoman at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo could not immediately confirm if Japan had requested a Security Council meeting.

(Reporting by Tokyo Newsroom; Editing by Michael Watson)

#DPRK radio in Korean made unscheduled announcement of the launch "success" and orbiting satellite at 11:20 KST (02:20 UTC).

#ROK foreign minister, speaking live now, strongly condemns #DPRK and says today's launch will leave it more isolated.