BaburCM
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North Korea appears to have launched a rocket, reports from Japan and South Korea say.
It came a day after Pyongyang said that its preparations for the launch of a communications satellite were complete.
North Korea says it is pursuing peaceful space development, but its neighbours suspect the launch is a cover for a long-range missile test.
The US, Japan and South Korea have urged it repeatedly not to go ahead and warned of consequences if it does.
North Korea had said that the launch would happen between 4-8 April, during windows from 0200 to 0700 GMT.
"A short time ago a flying object appeared to have been launched from North Korea," the Japanese government statement said.
The rocket appeared to have passed over Japan, the government said.
South Korean officials also confirmed that a rocket had been launched.
Source: BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | North Korea 'has launched rocket'
It came a day after Pyongyang said that its preparations for the launch of a communications satellite were complete.
North Korea says it is pursuing peaceful space development, but its neighbours suspect the launch is a cover for a long-range missile test.
The US, Japan and South Korea have urged it repeatedly not to go ahead and warned of consequences if it does.
North Korea had said that the launch would happen between 4-8 April, during windows from 0200 to 0700 GMT.
"A short time ago a flying object appeared to have been launched from North Korea," the Japanese government statement said.
The rocket appeared to have passed over Japan, the government said.
South Korean officials also confirmed that a rocket had been launched.
Source: BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | North Korea 'has launched rocket'
