The launch sparked celebrations in the streets of Pyongyang and protests in South Korea.
North Korea Successfully Launches a Rocket
![South Korean protesters burn a mock rocket as police officers spray fire extinguishers during a rally denouncing North Korea's rocket launch, Seoul, South Korea, December 12, 2012.](https://gdb.voanews.com/BE46C058-F0DE-4F32-A659-8D890678FE0D_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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South Korean protesters burn a mock rocket as police officers spray fire extinguishers during a rally denouncing North Korea's rocket launch, Seoul, South Korea, December 12, 2012.
![A South Korean protester shouts slogans during a rally denouncing North Korea's rocket launch, Seoul, South Korea, December 12, 2012.](https://gdb.voanews.com/DD3F4491-A46C-4342-A887-70D9B3BB2730_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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A South Korean protester shouts slogans during a rally denouncing North Korea's rocket launch, Seoul, South Korea, December 12, 2012.
![South Korean man uses his smartphone to take a photo of television screen reporting news about North Korea's rocket launch at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Dec. 12, 2012.](https://gdb.voanews.com/A7CDCC57-4875-482E-BDA9-80D7C8D745E1_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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South Korean man uses his smartphone to take a photo of television screen reporting news about North Korea's rocket launch at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Dec. 12, 2012.