DPRK confirms successful satellite launch (6)

（People's Daily Online）  14:01, December 12, 2012

DPRK says it successfully launched controversial long-range rocket

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said Wednesday it successfully fired off a long-range rocket mounted with a satellite, defying expectations that technical problems might delay or even call off the mission that has drawn international attention.

"The second version of satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 successfully lifted off from the Sohae Space Center by carrier rocket Unha-3 on Wednesday," the DPRK's official Korean Central News Agency said, adding the satellite entered orbit.[Read more]

DPRK launches long-range rocket, first stage falls into Yellow Sea: report

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired off a long-range rocket mounted with a satellite Wednesday, defying expectations that technical problems might delay the mission that drew international attention.

The move comes after the South Korean authorities said the DPRK seems to have removed the three-stage rocket form the launch pad in an apparent attempt to fix technical problems Pyongyang cited when it extended the launch window by one week until Dec. 29.[Read more]

DPRK's rocket passes Okinawa: Japanese gov't

The Japanese government said Wednesday morning that a rocket launched by the Democratic People' s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has passed Japan's Okinawa at around 10: 01 a.m. local time.

Japan's Self-Defense Forces in Okinawa did not launch their missile interceptors.[Read more]

Japan to convene Security Council on DPRK's rocket launch

The Japanese government said Wednesday that it will convene Security Council at 10:50 local time on a rocket launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). [Read more]