Defying warnings from the Unites States, Japan, and the United Nations, North Korea launched a long-range missile Friday morning. The long-range missile program has been a major cause for concern for the United States as North Korea is purported to be developing nuclear weapon technology... that combined with a long-range missile could put the mainland of the United States in very real danger from a country who is openly hostile to it. The rocket however proved to be a complete failure...
According to reports from Japan as well as top U.S. officials, the launched rocket broke apart before it was able to leave Earth's atmosphere... it eventually crashed into the sea.
It is unclear how the United Nations will respond to North Korea's attempt; an attempt it had condemned and warned the rogue state not to proceed with... now that the rocket failed, the next move by the UN could be very interesting indeed.
Japan's defense ministry stated that it was prepared to shoot the rocket down if it had crossed into Japanese air space... thus far North Korea's most important ally, the People's Republic of China, has kept silent on the issue.