The defense ministries of Japan and South Korea report that they have detected a long-range rocket launch out of North Korea, bringing to a close days of speculation as to when the North would fire off its latest controversial test rocket, likely ratcheting up tensions and pressure on concerned parties to reign in the North’s nuclear and missile programs before they pose a threat to the DPRK’s regional neighbors.

The launch was detected flying over the island of Okinawa at 9:49 AM local time in Japan.

[CNN]