The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) launched its rocket at 11.32am (02.32 GMT) on April 5 despite warnings.
The rocket blasted off from the Musudan-ri launch site in the north-east of the country, which was later confirmed by the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the DPRK has successfully launched a rocket carrying a communications satellite into orbit and that the satellite has begun to transmit data.
The RoK national security council convened an emergency meeting while Japan said that the rocket might fly over its territory.
Earlier, the DPRK informed international agencies that it would launch an experimental communications satellite "Kwangmyongsong-2" using Unha-2 rocket between 11 am and 4 pm on April 4-8. However, some western countries said that the launch is a cover for a test of a long-range missile that could reach Alaska or Hawaii.
Pyongyang says that the launch is part of its peaceful space programme and that it is entitled to develop its own space programme.
Many countries have raised concern that the launch will spark tension in North-east Asia and that the DPRK could face tougher sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The UNSC agreed Japan’s formal request to convene an emergency session in New York the same day.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced his regret over the launch and called on the DPRK to comply with relevant UNSC resolutions.
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