North Korea today launched a long-range rocket that disintegrated soon after blastoff, according to the US and Asian nations who condemned it as a “provocative” act threatening regional security.

North Korea had said the rocket was aimed at putting a satellite in orbit for peaceful research purposes, but Western critics see it as a disguised ballistic missile test, banned by United Nations resolutions.

“North Korea is only further isolating itself by engaging in provocative acts, and is wasting its money on weapons and propaganda displays while the North Korean people go hungry,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

North Korean officials had no immediate comment on the launch. They said an announcement would be made before 9 am (0530 IST), but that event appeared to be delayed.

South Korea also said that the rocket, which was launched at 07:39 am (0409 IST (Friday), ended in failure.

“North Korea’s launch... is a clear breach of the UN resolution that prohibits any launch using ballistic missile technology. It is a provocative act threatening peace and security,” Foreign Minister Kim Sung—Hwan said.

A ministry spokesman said that: “A few minutes after the launch, the rocket disintegrated into several pieces and lost its altitude.”

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura also condemned the launch, regardless of the fact that it had failed.

“Even if it was a failure, it is a grave provocation to our country and other countries concerned and violates UN Security Council resolutions,” he said.

The South’s Yonhap news agency quoted a high—ranking military source as saying the debris fell into the Yellow Sea off South Korea. An analyst told Yonhap TV the first stage of the rocket may have failed to separate.

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