DPRK's satellite launch plan 'provocative': US

WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday slammed a Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) plan to launch a satellite as "highly provocative" and a threat to regional security.

A DPRK Television KRT news reader announces the launch of a working satellite to mark the 100th birthday of Kim Il-sung in Pyongyang March 16, 2012 in this still image taken from video. [Photo/Agencies]

"North Korea's (The DPRK's) announcement that it plans to conduct a missile launch in direct violation of its international obligations is highly provocative. UN Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874 clearly and unequivocally prohibit North Korea (the DPRK) from conducting launches that use ballistic missile technology," Clinton said in a statement.

She warned that such a launch would pose a threat to regional security and would also be inconsistent with the DPRK's recent undertaking to refrain from long-range missile launches.

The United States urged the DPRK to "adhere to its international obligations, including all relevant UN Security Council Resolutions," Clinton said, adding that Washington was consulting closely with its international partners on the next steps.

The DPRK announced earlier in the day it would launch an "earth observation" satellite, or the Kwangmyongsong-3, using a long-range rocket to mark the 100th birthday of late leader Kim Il-sung.

The satellite would be launched from a station in North Phyongan province between April 12 and 16, the DPRK's official news agency KCNA reported, citing a spokesman for the Korean Committee for Space Technology.