North Korea looks set to be able to delay controversial rocket release.

North Korea, which planned to launch the rocket within December 10 and  22, is banned from carrying out any missile or nuclear related tests by Un resolutions imposed in 2006 and also 2009 after it performed nuclear tests.

The latest launch had been scheduled to happen around the first anniversary on the death of North Korea's ex- leader Kim Jong-il but would also provide coincided with December elections throughout Japan and South Korea.

The planned launch has been condemned by Japan and also South Korea, as well as the usa and Russia. China, the actual North's only major diplomatic friend, has expressed "deep concern" it might raise tensions on the actual Korean Peninsula.

The rocket was scheduled to pass between Korean Peninsula and China and taiwan, with a second stage splashing down from the Philippines before launching the actual satellite into orbit.

An earlier launch test ended in failure in April and mission was aborted only a few minutes into its journey.

Critics say that North Korea's rocket programme is aimed towards developing an ballistic missile competent at delivering a nuclear warhead.