North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il expressed "great satisfaction" Sunday after his reclusive state launched a long-range rocket, according to state-run media.
The North Korean government insisted the Sunday morning launch was a peaceful launch of a satellite into orbit, but the United States, Japan and other nations have deemed the move an act of provocation and a violation of a U.N Security Council resolution.
Kim observed the 11:20 a.m. (2:20 a.m. GMT) launch from the command center, the Korean Central News Agency reported.
"Expressing great satisfaction over the fact that scientists and technicians of the [North Korea] successfully launched the satellite with their own wisdom and technology, he highly appreciated their feats and extended thanks to them," according to KCNA.
The North Korean government characterized the act as a successful, peaceful launch of a satellite into orbit. U.S. and South Korean officials condemned the launch as a provocative act. American military sources said the launch was a failure, saying that the rocket's payload failed to enter into orbit.
'Satisfaction' from Kim over N. Korea launch - CNN.com
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