North Korea declared Sunday it has succeeded in launching a long-range rocket carrying what it claims is a satellite.

North Korea has successfully placed a satellite, named “Kwangmyongsong-4,” into orbit, the North said in a special announcement aired on the North‘s state television station.

The North said the satellite entered into orbit about 10 minutes after the launch, upon direct orders by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

“North Korea will in the future, too, launch more satellites into the space,” the Korean Central News Agency said in a dispatch.

The North said that the earth observation satellite is equipped with measuring and telecommunications tools.

Pyongyang has consistently claimed its sovereign right to pursue a peaceful space development program.

But Seoul Washington and Tokyo see the move as a test of ballistic missile technology.

The rocket launch came one month after the North conducted a fourth nuclear test on Jan. 6, prompting the U.N. Security Council to work on a fresh resolution for tougher sanctions against the North. (khnews@heraldcorp.com)