North Koreans mark rocket success

The first stage of the rocket fell in seas west of South Korea Continue reading the main story Inside North Korea Key step in missile ambitions Pyongyang thumbs nose at enemies North Korea's missile programme Secretive 'first family' North Koreans have gathered in Pyongyang for a mass rally to celebrate Wednesday's long-range rocket launch.

State television showed huge crowds cheering to mark the launch, which has been condemned by many nations as a banned test of missile technology.

South Korea, meanwhile, says it has retrieved debris from the rocket and will study it to assess its technology.

The first stage of the rocket fell west of the Korean peninsula. South Korea's navy located it shortly afterwards.

It was North Korea's first successful use of a three-stage rocket to put a satellite into orbit. North Korea said on Friday that more launches would go ahead.

The UN Security Council has condemned the launch, calling it a missile test that violated two UN resolutions banning Pyongyang from such activities passed after its nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009.

The US, South Korea and Japan - who believe North Korea is working to develop long-range missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads - want action such as the strengthening of sanctions.

But China - North Korea's main ally - says any UN response should be "conducive to peace" and avoid escalating tensions.

'Unshakeable stand'

In Pyongyang, state television showed ranks of North Koreas listening to congratulatory speeches about the launch.

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