NoKor's rocket launch failed

North Korea said Friday morning that they already launched a long-range rocket; however, Japanese and South Korean authorities said that the North Korean 'flying object' had fallen into the ocean and it seems that the launch was unsuccessful.

A South Korean defense ministry spokesman said that North Korea launched a long-range rocket at 07:39 a.m. (2239 GMT Thursday). Ministry spokesman Kim Min-Seok said that it seems that the rocket has failed.

Min-Seok added that however they need more analysis for confirmation. On other hand, Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka said that they have the information some sort of flying object had been launched from North Korea.

Tanaka said that the flying object is believed to had flown for more than one minute and fell into the ocean. Fortunately, authorities ensured that it is not affecting the Philippine territory.

Yonhap news agency said that right away after the launch, South Korea gave an order advising residents close to the inter-Korean border to search for shelter to shield them from any fragments that might fall from the rocket.

Earlier, North Korea said the rocket is supposed to set a satellite in orbit for quiet research purposes, although Western critics perceive the launch as a finely veiled ballistic missile test, excluded by United Nations resolutions. — ARA