SEOUL--North Korea said its rocket launch Sunday successfully put into orbit a satellite which is now transmitting songs in praise of the communist state's current and former leaders.

"Our scientists and technicians succeeded in putting a satellite, the Kwangmyongsong-2, into orbit with the delivery rocket Unha-2, according to the national space development plan," the Korean Central News Agency reported.

"The satellite is rotating normally in its orbit," it said, and now transmitting data and songs praising founding president Kim Il-Sung and his son and current leader Kim Jong-Il.

The North says it launched an experimental communications satellite as part of a peaceful space program.

The United States and its allies have reacted angrily to what they see as a provocative test of a long-range Taepodong-2 (Unha-2) missile.

KCNA said the three-stage rocket launched at 11:20 am (0220 GMT), 10 minutes earlier than the time given by South Korea.

"Nine minutes and two seconds later, it successfully put Kwangmyongsung 2 into orbit."

The satellite is carrying equipment for measurement and communications, it said.

"The satellite has decisive significance in pushing for scientific research projects to peacefully use space, and resolving technical issues for satellite launches for practical purposes," KCNA added.