The UN Security Council scheduled an emergency session at the request of Japan and the United States to discuss North Korea's ''provocative'' long-range rocket launch.

The 15-member body was to hold consultations at 5am today Canberra time after North Korea fired a long-range rocket believed to be a Taepodong-2 missile test in defiance of UN resolutions.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd joined US President Barack Obama in condemning North Korea's ''provocative'' act.

Mr Rudd said Australia was deeply concerned the launch breached a Security Council resolution. ''We urge the council to immediately consider further action,'' he said.

Even if the launch involved the deployment of a satellite, Australia considered use of missile technology breached the UN resolution. It was the same technology North Korea used for its offensive ballistic missile program, Mr Rudd said.

The isolated Stalinist state launched what it said was a satellite broadcasting ''immortal revolutionary songs''.

The rocket flew over Japanese territory and some of the booster engines landed off the Japanese coast but the Government took no action to shoot it down as it had warned it might.

But Japan has warned the North of new sanctions.

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso said, ''It is an extremely provocative action. Japan can never overlook it.''

Agencies