The reports saying so are from Japan and South Korea. BBC World Breaking News:

“A short time ago a flying object appeared to have been launched from North Korea,” the Japanese government statement said.

The rocket appeared to have passed over Japan, the government said.

South Korean officials also confirmed that a rocket had been launched.

North Korea maintains that its program is peaceful space development. Others suspect it is a cover for a long-range missile test.

More from the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times.