NORTH KOREA LAUNCHES ROCKET OVER JAPAN

NORTH Korea has carried out a widely criticised rocket launch, seen by many in the international community as a disguised ballistic missile test, just days before the first anniversary of the death of Kim Jong-il. 
 
North Korea confirmed that it had launched a long-range rocket, saying it had succeeded in its mission of placing a satellite in orbit, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
"The launch of the second version of our Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite from the Sohae Space Centre... on December 12 was successful,'' KCNA said "The satellite has entered the orbit as planned,'' it added.

The New York Times said the launch demonstrated that new leader Kim Jong-un was pressing ahead to master the technology needed to deliver a nuclear warhead on intercontinental ballistic missiles,

Source :  NORTH KOREA LAUNCHES ROCKET OVER JAPAN