North Korea launches long-range rocket "It is extremely regrettable that North Korea went through with the launch despite our calls to exercise restraint," chief government spokesman Osamu Fujimura said. Our country cannot tolerate this. We strongly protest to North Korea. Later, Japan's envoy to the United Nations asked for the Security Council to meet in response to the launch. The Japanese had pledged to shoot down the rocket if it crossed into their airspace, but when it passed over the island of Okinawa, did not attempt to intercept it. William Hague issued a statement saying Britain deplored the launch. "I strongly condemn the DPRK's satellite launch today," Foreign Secretary William Hague said in a statement. I deplore the fact that the DPRK has chosen to prioritise this launch over improving the livelihood of its people. We will be summoning the DPRK Ambassador to the UK to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office," he added. It is essential that the DPRK refrain from further provocative action and take constructive steps towards denuclearisation and lasting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The US said it had "noted" the launch and would make a statement later. The launch followed reports in the South Korean media and satellite imagery analysis by US experts that suggested the rocket had been removed from the launch pad to repair an apparent technical problem. North Korea had originally provided a December 10-22 launch window, but extended that by a week on Monday when a "technical deficiency" was discovered in the first-stage control engine. North Korea last attempted to launch its three-stage Unha-3 carrier in April, but the rocket exploded shortly after take-off. A successful launch this time would mark a major advance in the North's bid to mate an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capability with its nuclear weapons programme. Washington and its allies insist the launch is a disguised ballistic missile test that violates UN resolutions triggered by Pyongyang's two nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009. In 2006 the Security Council imposed an embargo on arms and material for ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction. It also banned exports of luxury goods and named individuals and companies to be subject to a global assets freeze and travel ban. In 2009, it imposed a ban on North Korea's weapons exports and ordered all countries to search suspect shipments.