Thumbing their nose at weeks of international warnings, North Korea launched a test rocket early this morning. The North Korean government said the the three-stage rocket, called the Unha-3, would fly south, carrying its Kwangmyongsong-3 communications satellite. However, American officials maintain the communications satellite was cover for North Korean plans to develop a ballistic missile. Japanese government officials said the launch failed, with Unha-3 breaking into several pieces. David Sanger, Chief Washington correspondent for our partner The New York Times, explains what to expect when the UN Security Council meets to discuss a possible response today.
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