S.Korea says North's "satellite" launch a UN resolution breach

S.Korea says North's "satellite" launch a UN resolution breachsaid on Friday the launch of a satellite by North Korea in April would be a violation of a U.N. Security Council resolution adopted after Pyongyang's 2009 missile test and a threat to regional security.
   
"If North Korea does launch a 'working satellite' as it announced, it would be a a clear violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874 that bans all launches using ballistic missile technology," the South's foreign ministry said.
   
"It would be a grave provocation threatening the peace and security of the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia," the ministry said in a statement.

North Korea announced Friday it plans to launch a long-range rocket mounted with a satellite next month, a surprise move that comes weeks after it agreed to nuclear concessions including a moratorium on long-range missile tests.         

The launch is to take place exactly three years after a similar launch in April 2009 drew widespread condemnation from the U.S., South Korea and others as a cover for testing North Korea's long-range missile technology.         

AP/Reuters