S. Korea warns N. Korea not to fire missile

SEOUL, March 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korea urged North Korea Friday to stop its move
to fire what it suspects to be a missile, reiterating its firm position that any
launch would violate a U.N. Security Council resolution.
"Since North Korea's act is in violation of U.N. Resolution 1718, it should be
halted," foreign ministry spokesman Moon Tae-yong said in a statement. "If North
Korea presses ahead with a launch, there will be Security Council-level
consultation and countermeasures."
He said that South Korea is in close talks with the U.S., Japan, China, and
Russia to deal with Pyongyang's move. The regional powers are the North's
dialogue partners at the often-troubled six-way talks on ending Pyongyang's
nuclear development.
The statement came in response to the confirmation by two global agencies on
maritime and aviation safety that North Korea had notified them of its planned
launch of what it claims is a satellite as part of a space program.
But South Korea views it as a smokescreen for a long-range missile test.
Moon added that his ministry has already formed a task force on the North's
missile activity. Led by Seoul's chief nuclear envoy Wi Sung-lac, the team
includes senior officials handling North American affairs, treaties, and
international organizations.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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