![\"Part-HKG-Hkg10253119-1-1-0\"](\"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Part-HKG-Hkg10253119-1-1-0.jpg\")
A statement said a new Earth observation satellite, Kwangmyongsong-4, had successfully been put into orbit less than 10 minutes after lift-off from the Sohae space centre in North Phyongan province.<\/p>\nThe UN Security Council is to hold an emergency meeting later following North Korea’s launch of a long-range rocket.<\/p>\n
The meeting was requested by South Korea, Japan and the US to agree on a collective response to the launch.<\/p>\n
[contextly_sidebar id=”TwnhY84HLuStmtRgfRoNzQNh33v53xBP”]Pyongyang said it fired the rocket to place a satellite in orbit, but critics believe the real purpose was to test a ballistic missile.
\nSunday’s launch comes weeks after North Korea held a fourth nuclear test – both acts violate UN resolutions.<\/p>\n
The launch of the rocket was hailed by North Korean media as a “fascinating vapour… trailing in the clear and blue sky in spring of February on the threshold of the Day of the Shining Star”.<\/p>\n
A statement said a new Earth observation satellite, Kwangmyongsong-4, had successfully been put into orbit less than 10 minutes after lift-off from the Sohae space centre in North Phyongan province.<\/p>\n
Hailing it as part of the country’s peaceful space programme, a state TV newsreader said the launch had been ordered by North Korea’s leader Kim Jon-un and more satellite launches were planned for the future.<\/p>\n
South Korean MPs were told in a closed-door briefing by the country’s spy agency later on Sunday that the launch should be treated as a ballistic missile test as the satellite it put into orbit would be useless.![\"_88134126_88134125\"](\"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/88134126_88134125.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The payload was presumed to weigh 200kg (440lbs), double the size of the one launched in 2012, but much lighter than the 800-1,500kg usual for a satellite.<\/p>\n
They were also reportedly told that North Korea has the technology for intercontinental ballistic missiles and is preparing a fifth nuclear test, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
Source: BBC<\/p>\n
The UN Security Council is to hold an emergency meeting later following North Korea’s launch of a long-range rocket. The meeting was requested by South Korea, Japan and the US to agree on a collective response to the launch. [contextly_sidebar id=”TwnhY84HLuStmtRgfRoNzQNh33v53xBP”]Pyongyang said it fired the rocket to place a satellite in orbit, but critics believe […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[107],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n