North Korea successfully launched a three-stage rocket, depositing what it said was a weather satellite into orbit.
The rocket's trajectory took it directly over the Japanese island of Okinawa, putting the entirety of Japanese territory firmly within the reach of future rockets.
"The launch is intolerable to Japan, and the government lodges a strong protest to North Korea," said Osamu Fujimura, Japan's chief Cabinet secretary.
The United States was more cautious in its wording, invoking United Nations bans on North Korean rocket launches that have been in place since 2007.
"The international community must work in a concerted fashion to send North Korea a clear message that its violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions have consequences," said a statement from the White House.
China, North Korea's most prominent ally and investor, was dismayed at the launch but did not call for any action.
"We express regret at the launch in spite of the extensive concerns of the international community," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Le.
"China believes the Security Council's response should be cautious and moderate, protect the overall peaceful and stable situation on the Korean peninsula, and avoid an escalation," he said.
While the prospect of a North Korea armed with nuclear missiles is frightening, experts say that scenario is still a while off.
North Korea has been attempting to build a successful rocket for decades, and its last failed launch was only eight months ago.
Engineers seem to have learned from their previous mistakes. The Unha-3 rocket fired yesterday has a range of 4,000 to 6,000 kilometers, which puts much of Asia and part of Alaska within striking distance.
But some estimates put the maximum range closer to 10,000 kilometers. That would enable North Korea to hit much of the western United States.
But in order to inflict much damage, North Korea will first have to improve its nuclear technology.
They first successfully tested a nuclear weapon in 2006, but in order to function as a warhead on a missile, nuclear devices must be much smaller and more resilient than what North Korea currently has, otherwise they risk detonating the device in their own territory.
The Unha-3 rockets also use liquid fuel, which is less stable than the more commonly used solid fuel. Many U.S. security experts are confident any rocket launch could be taken out by an American air strike before completion.
But North Korea is nothing is not erratic, and its common failures usually result in eventual success. Kim Jong-un, who took power after his father Kim Jong-il passed away almost exactly a year ago, may be looking for ways to consolidate his grip on the country, and this rocket launch may give him the support he desires.
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