North Korea launches rocket in defiance of criticspparently it

[Casino67]

Reuters.com:

 

Reuters) - Isolated and impoverished North Korea launched its second long- range rocket of 2012 on Wednesday in what it said was a bid to put a satellite into space.

 

The North launched the rocket close to the first anniversary of the death of former leader Kim Jong-il and as elections loom in South Korea and Japan.

 

The launch, reported by South Korean media, was confirmed by South Korea's Defense Ministry.

 

Pyongyang says it is entitled to launch a satellite into space but critics say the rocket development is aimed at nurturing the kind of technology needed to mount a nuclear warhead on a long-range missile.

 

North Korea is banned from conducting missile and nuclear-related tests under U.N. sanctions imposed after its 2006 and 2009 nuclear tests.

 

The latest launch comes after a failed attempt in April that fizzled less than two minutes after blast-off.