North Korea rocket breaks up in flight

Pyongyang, North Korea (CNN) -- Defying warnings from the international community, North Korea launched a long-range rocket on Friday, but it broke apart before escaping the earth's atmosphere and fell into the sea.

The launch drew condemnation from United States and countries in the region, as well as an unusual admission of failure from Pyongyang, which had invited in journalists and space experts from around the world for the occasion.

The U.N. Security Council is expected to meet Friday to discuss the launch, which North Korea insists was intended to put an observation satellite in orbit. The United States, South Korea and Japan say the operation is a cover for a ballistic missile test.

In a break from previous practice, the North Korean state media announced that the rocket had not managed to put the satellite into orbit. In the past, North Korea has insisted that failed launches have been successful. Read More...

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Launch makes food aid "impossible," Obama administration official says
• North Korean state media say the rocket failed to put satellite in orbit
• U.N. Security Council will meet Friday on the matter
• Short-lived flight never escaped the atmosphere, officials say