Article updated: 12/11/2012 8:59 PM

North Korea declares rocket launch a success

Buy this photo Buy this photo
Gallery Image

This satellite image provided Monday by GeoEye and annotated by 38 North, shows recent activity at the Sohae rocket launching facility in Cholsan County, North Pyongan province, North Korea.

Associated Press

About this Article

North Korea fired a long-range rocket Wednesday morning in its second launch under its new leader, defying warnings from the U.N. and Washington only days before South Korean presidential elections. North Korea declared the launch of a rocket and satellite a success, and state television planned a special broadcast about the launch at noon (0300 GMT). South Korean and Japanese officials confirmed that liftoff took place shortly before 10 a.m. (0100 GMT).