United Nation Condemns North Korea Rocket Launch

The UN Security Council has strongly condemned North Korea's launch of a long-rangerocket in violation of international sanctions. It also vowed to take "significant measures" over the rogue state's nuclear test in January that Pyongyang claims was a hydrogen bomb.

China, North Korea's most powerful ally, backed the statement, as did the other 14 council members during an emergency meeting.

In a state TV broadcast, a North Korean presenter said the "epochal" launch, personally ordered by leader Kim Jong-Un, had "successfully put our Earth observation satellite ... into orbit".

North Korea insists the planned launch is part of its space exploration programme - but most of the world views it as a disguised ballistic missile test.

The rogue state remained defiant hours after the launch, with its embassy in Moscow issuing a statement saying it would "continue to launch more man-made satellites".

Sunday's rocket took off at around 9am Pyongyang time from the North's west coast, according to South Korea's defense ministry.

Japan's NHK broadcaster reported debris from the rocket was believed to have fallen about 155 miles (250km) off the southwest coast of the Korean Peninsula into the East China Sea about 14 minutes after the launch.

Kim Jong-Un has overseen two of the North's four nuclear testsand three long-range rocket tests since taking over after the death of his father, Kim Jong-Il, in late 2011.

Last month, the North claimed to have tested a hydrogen bomb - but this was widely disputed by experts.

Rocket and nuclear tests are seen as crucial steps toward the North's ultimate goal of a nuclear armed long-range missile arsenal.