North Korea successfully launches long range rocket

North Korea has successfully launched a long range rocket. The launch occurred at 9:51 a.m. local time according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, two days after the country said it might delay the launch till as late as December 29 to repair a “technical deficiency” in the rocket.

“The rocket stages fell on areas in line with its earlier announcement and the launch appears to be successful,” said a South Korean military official as quoted by Yonhap. North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) also confirmed the successful launch in a statement saying, “Initial indications are that the first stage fell into the Yellow Sea. The second stage was assessed to fall into the Philippine Sea. Initial indications are that the missile deployed an object that appeared to achieve orbit.” Pieces of the rocket stages reportedly fell into the sea near the coast of the Philippines.

Read more: Wikinews.org