North Korea held a huge rally Friday in the center of its capital , Pyongyang , to celebrate the launch of a long-range rocket this week that put a satellite in orbit and provoked international condemnation . A special broadcast on state-run television showed crowds of soldiers and civilians standing in neat ranks , clapping and cheering as officials made congratulatory speeches praising the regime 's ruling dynasty . The rocket launch Wednesday took place sooner than many observers expected and was criticized by many countries since it was widely seen as a cover for testing ballistic missile technology that North Korea has been forbidden from using by the United Nations . But state media reported Friday that the satellite is weather-related and will `` gain information on temperatures of sea and land surfaces and atmosphere , humidity and wind and other meteorological data . '' Putting the satellite in orbit was a technological breakthrough for the secretive North Korean regime , and a public relations victory for its young leader , Kim Jong Un . North Korea claims the launch was carried out for peaceful purposes . The successful launch was the result of Kim 's `` unique will , courage and boldness , '' Jang Chol , head of the State Academy of Sciences , said at the rally Friday , his words echoing out over the assembled masses , many of whom were wearing thick coats as they stood in a snow-dusted square . Kim 's late father , Kim Jong Il , was also singled out as having made the launch possible through his military-first policy that channeled billions of dollars into the development of missiles and nuclear weapons . More crowds are expected to gather in Pyongyang on Monday , the first anniversary of Kim Jong Il 's death . North Korea 's achievement of putting an object in orbit , after years of failed attempts , stoked fresh concerns among world leaders about the reclusive state 's missile and nuclear programs . Experts do not believe North Korea has a nuclear warhead small enough to fly on the kind of missile that Pyongyang has now proved it can send long distance . And the United States believes the North Koreans may not have full control of the satellite they launched into space , according to a U.S. official who declined to be identified due to the sensitive nature of the information . But the launch allowed the regime to flex its military and technological muscle on the world stage . Kim Jong Un has `` stressed the need to continue to launch satellites in the future , '' the state-run Korean Central News Agency said in a report Thursday , raising the prospect of more controversial moves in the future . State media also released images of Kim apparently watching the launch unfold . He was shown sitting with a cigarette in his left hand before a large screen that appeared to display the rocket 's trajectory . Members of the U.N. Security Council condemned the rocket launch Wednesday , and the United States is pushing for tougher sanctions on Pyongyang . But China , North Korea 's main ally and the holder of veto power at the United Nations , has so far taken a cautious stance , urging the Security Council to be `` prudent '' on the issue and `` avoid escalating the situation . ''
North Korean state media say satellite is to monitor weather . Crowds of soldiers and civilians applaud speeches in Pyongyang . Comment: Move was a public relations victory for Kim Jong Un , North Korea 's young leader .