A video grab taken on Feb. 7, 2016 from South Korean TV shows the news report on the launch of a long-range rocket by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), in Seoul, South Korea. The DPRK on Sunday launched a long-range rocket as planned, Yonhap news agency reported citing South Korea's defense authorities. (Xinhua/Jiang Ye)

[Satnews] The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Sunday successfully launched a Kwangmyongsong-4 satellite, the Korean Central Television (KCTV) reported.

The Kwangmyongsong-4 satellite, an Earth Oobservation satellite, blasted off at 9:00 local time (0030 GMT) Sunday morning from the Sohae Space Center in Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province, and later entered target orbit, said the KCTV.

Top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un signed the order to send the satellite into orbit on Saturday and the KCTV disclosed the photos of Kim's signature.

Story courtesy of China's Xinhuanet infosite.

U.S. Strategic Command systems tracked the missile on a southerly route over the Yellow Sea. The launch into space occurred at 7:29 p.m., EST, with North American Aerospace Defense Command determining that at no time was the missile a threat to North America.

“The men and women of Stratcom, NORAD, Northcom and Pacom remain vigilant in the face of North Korean provocations and are fully committed to working closely with our Republic of Korea and Japanese allies to maintain security,” the officials said in a release.