S. Korea warns N. Korea’s possible rocket launch would violate UN resolutions

South Korea warned Tuesday that North Korea’s possible launch of a long-range rocket would be a grave security threat, adding that the move would be a “blatant” violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions banning the North’s nuclear and missile tests.

North Korea said Monday that it plans to launch what it claims are “a series of satellites” as it is preparing for the 70th anniversary of the founding of its ruling Workers’ Party, which falls on Oct. 10.

“South Korea and the United States are closely collaborating to brace for every possibility, including North Korea’s possible launch of a long-range missile. There has been no conspicuous movement by the North so far,” said a ranking official at the Unification Ministry, asking not to be named.

The official said that if North Korea test-fires a ballistic missile, it would be a grave provocation and military threat to the Korean Peninsula and the region.

“If the North does so, it will become a blatant violation of relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions,” he added.

North Korea has claimed it has the right to conduct space research by test-firing what it called satellites, which outside analysts view as a cover for missile tests.

The North’s official media said Monday that “the world will clearly see a series of satellites of North Korea soaring into the sky at the times and locations determined by the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea.”

But Seoul’s official expressed caution about whether the North will actually launch a long-range rocket or whether Pyongyang’s possible move would mean a breakup of the two Koreas’ recent landmark deal on easing military tensions.

“It is too early to prejudge the situation,” the official said.

The ministry official also refrained from making comments on the relationship between the North’s possible provocations and the upcoming reunions of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War slated for Oct. 20-26.