Experts on North Korea say it will be unlikely that the United Nations will impose new sanctions on the reclusive communist state even if it carries out a planned rocket launch.

Experts said that the United States may issue a statement of condemnation or a set of mild sanctions since it is torn between increasing pressure and reviving the stalled six-party nuclear talks.

Mark Fitzpatrick, a researcher at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, said that China would prevent any meaningful U.N. Security Council resolution but may allow expressions of condemnation.

Diplomatic sources at the U.N. said that as much as it is widely acknowledged that existing U.N. penalties are not being enforced, tightening up on these was the most likely starting point for sanctioning North Korea.

Pyongyang announced last month that it plans to send a satellite into orbit between April fourth and eighth.