North Korea has launched a long-range rocket, according to officials in Seoul, in a move likely to damage its relations with South Korea and the US.
The operation sent a satellite into orbit over earth - in what the nuclear-armed state insists is a purely peaceful scientific project. However Moscow says it'll do nothing to help regional stability.
The timing of the launch took the South Korean government by surprise, a foreign ministry spokesperson said.
The UN Security Council is expected to meet later today to discuss the launch.
Britain says it will increase tensions in the area, and the UN Security Council is expected to meet later today to discuss the launch.
John Powers is a reporter with the Korea Herald in Seoul - he says no one outside of North Korea believes the rocket is a peaceful one:
