The story

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. Read full article »

CNN's Jie-Ae Sohn in Seoul, South Korea, and Charley Keyes and Elise Labott in Washington contributed to this report.

All About North Korea • Japan • Barack Obama • United Nations Security Council