North Korea launches long-range rocket 'carrying satellite'

North Korea has launched a long-range rocket which it claims is carrying 'a satellite'.

The launch was made in defiance of United Nations sanctions barring Pyongyang from using ballistic missile technology.

A US Defence official confirmed that the US detected a missile launch from North Korea.

The official added that the trajectory of the missile was being tracked and "it does not pose a threat to the US or its allies".

The United Nations Security Council is expected to hold an emergency meeting later to discuss the launch after a joint request from the US, Japan and South Korea.

Japan did not take action to shoot down the rocket even though it flew over its southern Okinawa prefecture, according to the country's public broadcaster.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters that the launch of the "missile" was unacceptable.

North Korea had notified UN agencies that it planned to launch a rocket carrying an Earth observation satellite. The news was met with opposition from governments that see it as a long-range missile test.