SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT PARK GEUN-HY

SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT PARK GEUN-HYE SAYING: "North Korea ignored a warning by the international community and has committed an unacceptable provocation by launching a long-range missile after conducting the fourth nuclear test." Japanese Prime Minsiter Shinzo Abe followed suit.APANESE PRIME MINISTER, SHINZO ABE, SAYING: "We will respond resolutely, coordinating closely with the international community. We will also do our utmost to ensure the safety and security of our citizens." Pyongyang had been warned against carrying out the launch. It says it has a sovereign right to pursue a space programme, but there are concerns that launches like these are in fact missile tests. North Korea is believed to be working on a miniaturised nuclear warhead to mount on a missile. But expects say the technology still needs to be perfected. The U.N. Security Council is expected to hold an emergency meeting with South Korea, the U.S. and Japan later in the day.