The Democratic People's Republic of Korea says Sunday's rocket launch was a success, and that a communications satellite has been sent into orbit.

Meanwhile, South Korea, the US and Russia say they detected the launch, but they haven't observed anything in orbit.

The DPRK's official media reported on Sunday that the country successfully launched a rocket carrying the "Kwangmyongsong-2" communications satellite, which entered orbit about 10 minutes after launch.

DPRK media says the country's top leader, Kim Jong Il, observed the entire launch process on Sunday. He expressed "great satisfaction" over the successful launch.

However,Russian media reported Monday that Russia's space control system had not registered the DPRK's satellite in orbit.