North Korean carrier rocket Unha-3 blasts off with the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite on December 12 (XINHUA/KCNA)

North Korea successfully launched the second version of the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite with carrier rocket Unha-3 on December 12 after a failed attempt in April. The launches, seen by the West as possible tests of long-range ballistic missiles in disguise, drew international concern.