U.S. warns against new DPRK satellite launch

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- The United States warned on Saturday that another satellite launch planned by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) for this month would threaten peace and security in the region.

"A North Korean 'satellite' launch would be a highly provocative act that threatens peace and security in the region," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in a written statement.

"Any North Korean launch using ballistic missile technology is in direct violation of UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) 1718 and 1874," she added.

The DPRK said on Saturday that it is planning to launch another satellite in December after a failed attempt in April.

The second version of Kwangmyongsong-3 will be launched from the Sohae Space Center in Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province, by the Unha-3 carrier rocket between Dec. 10 and Dec. 22, the official KCNA news agency said.

The DPRK launched a Kwangmyongsong-3 on April 13 to mark the 100th birthday of late DPRK founder Kim Il Sung. The long-range rocket crashed into the sea after traveling a short distance.

The Security Council condemned the launch and demanded that Pyongyang fully comply with relevant resolutions and suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile program.

"The UN Security Council Presidential Statement adopted unanimously on April 16, 2012 strongly condemned North Korea's April 13 launch and expressed its determination to take action accordingly in the event of a further launch," Nuland said, calling on Pyongyang "to comply fully with its obligations under all relevant UNSCRs."

"Devoting scarce resources to the development of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles will only further isolate and impoverish North Korea," she said. "The path to security for North Korea lies in investing in its people and abiding by its commitments and international obligations."

She noted that Washington is consulting closely with its six- party and other key allies and partners on next steps.

The six-party mechanism involves the DPRK, the Republic of Korea, the U.S., China, Russia and Japan.

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