North Korea ‘has launched rocket’

BBC NEWS

North Korea appears to have launched a rocket, despite international appeals not to go ahead. Officials from Japan, South Korea and the US confirmed lift-off at 0230 GMT. The rocket appeared to have passed over Japan, Tokyo said. North Korea says it is sending a satellite into orbit, but its neighbours suspect the launch could be a cover for a long-range missile test. They say it violates UN resolutions and have warned of consequences. “A short time ago a flying object appeared to have been launched from North Korea,” the Japanese government statement said. The US State Department and South Korea’s presidential office also confirmed a launch. Japan did not try to shoot it down, as it had indicated that it would if its territory was threatened, it said in a statement.

Advertisements