Results from distinct element method (DEM) simulations are presented for the uniaxial compression test, cyclic loading test considering the Kaiser effect, and hydraulic fracturing, and the applicability of DEM to model rock fracture is discussed. Each simulation was in good agreement with the actual experimental results. It is shown that DEM is an effective technique to mimic fracture within a heterogeneous material. However, it was found that there are unresolved issues to be considered in the application of DEM to rock fracturing. (1) For proper simulation using DEM, appropriate micro-parameters are needed. In spite of efforts by many researchers, there are no effective procedures to find an optimum set of parameters. (2) Conventional DEM simulations assume generation of new cracks to be acoustic emission (AE) events, whereas slip occurring at the preexisting crack surfaces also generates AE. To better understand the mechanism of rock fracture, it is necessary to discuss the generation mechanisms of such AE events. (3) For a field scale simulation, the important problem of grain size, as well as input parameters, has not yet been resolved.