North Korea failed in its attempt to get a satellite into space after a rocket launch early on Sunday, US and South Korean officials say. Two stages of the rocket and its payload landed in the Pacific Ocean, a US military statement said.
| Almost as if it was meant to happen that way ... |
Hours earlier North Korea claimed the satellite had successfully been put into orbit and was transmitting data.
The US, EU, Japan and South Korea condemned the launch, thought to be a cover for a long-range missile test.
In a statement on its website, the US Northern Command said North Korea launched a three-stage Taepodong-2 missile at 0230GMT. "Stage one of the missile fell into the Sea of Japan/East Sea. The remaining stages along with the payload itself landed in the Pacific Ocean."
"No object entered orbit and no debris fell on Japan."
US military authorities "assessed the space launch vehicle as not a threat to North America or Hawaii and took no action in response to this launch," the statement added.
Earlier, state media in North Korea said satellite 'Kwangmyongsong-2' had been placed in orbit. The satellite was transmitting data and the "Song of General Kim Il-sung" and "Song of General Kim Jong-il" - references to the late founder of North Korea and his son, the current leader - the report claimed.
The BBC's John Sudworth in Seoul says a failure would seriously detract from North Korea's ability to exploit the propaganda value of the launch, although it may never admit it to its own people.
In a previous satellite launch attempt in 1998, North Korea said it was sending up a device that would orbit the world transmitting revolutionary melodies. It claimed this was also successful but the launch is believed to have been a failure as no trace of the satellite was ever found. |