Earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 launched by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) earlier Friday morning failed to enter orbit, the official KCNA news agency reported.

The satellite was launched at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station in Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province at 07:38 a.m. on Friday, said the report.

South Korea, the United States, and Japan earlier confirmed the failure of the DPRK rocket launch.

South Korea's Defense ministry spokesman Kim Min-seook said in a statement on Friday that the Unha-3 rocket appears to have separated into several pieces before crashing into the sea a few minutes after takeoff.

(China.org.cn, CNTV April 13, 2012)

据朝中社报道，朝鲜周五早间发射的地球观测卫星“光明星3号”未能进入轨道。

周五早上7时38分，朝鲜在平壤以北的铁山郡西海卫星发射场发射了这枚卫星。

韩国、美国、日本均已确认朝鲜火箭发射失败。

韩国国防部发言人金珉奭称，“银河3号”火箭在发射数分钟后即解体并坠入海中。