North Korea ignores warnings, launches rocket

North Korea defied international warnings and launched a rocket missile Sunday.  Not cute, says the U.S.

Launched from a base in east North Korea, the Taepongdong-2 millile soared over an unamused Japan and plunged into the Pacific Ocean. 

The North Koreans issued a statement claiming that they successfully launched a satelite into space that now transmits music celebrating their leader. (Um, no, not like Rocket Man by Elton John.  More like Song of General King Jong II.) The U.S. and Japan say that's b.s., and that the North Korean rocket, missile or whatever never made it into the orbit and is now just a fish hotel at the bottom of the Pacific.  

The U.N. will hold an emergency meeting Sunday to figure out what to do about all this. 

Oh, and before you start totally freaking out, note that experts believe the North Koreans are still years away from creating a missile capable of reaching the U.S.

And now, for your listening pleasure...

and