The White House said on Thursday that U.S. President Barack Obama has made it clear that he is prepared to engage constructively with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

U.S. President Barack Obama [Xinhua file photo]

"However, he has also insisted that North Korea (the DPRK) live up to its own commitments, adhere to its international obligations and deal peacefully with its neighbors," the White House said in a statement.

The statement came after Japan, South Korea and the United States reported that the DPRK launched a rocket on Friday morning local time, whose launch appeared to have failed.

So far, the DPRK has neither confirmed nor denied the launch.