Anchor: The South Korean government has condemned North Korea's plan to launch a long-range rocket as a grave provocation to its security. It now plans to discuss countermeasures with related nations including the U.S. and China. Our Kim In-kyung tells us more.

Report: The South Korean government says North Korea’s plan to launch a long-range rocket to put a satellite in orbit is a thinly veiled attempt to develop a delivery vehicle for nuclear weapons. The government characterized the North's plan as a grave provocation to its security. The presidential office issued the statement following a meeting of foreign and security ministers presided over by President Lee Myung-bak on Monday.

The government plans to closely discuss the matter with the U.S., China, Japan and Russia at the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit next week and respond collectively with the international community.

Prior to the meeting, a high-level government official said the launch clearly goes against UN Security Council Resolution 1874, which forbids any launch using ballistic missile technology.

The official added the North has carried out nuclear tests in the past in spite of discouragement from China. The official said China is North Korea's staunchest supporter and opposed to the anticipated launch as well, but the North still intends to carry out the plan as it's urgent for the communist state to solidify the Kim Jong-un regime.

News reports say that after takeoff, the first-stage rocket is expected to fall 140 kilometers west of Byeonsan Peninsula, and the second-stage projectile is projected to drop 190 kilometers east of the Philippines.

The South Korean government believes it's unlikely that debris from the first-stage rocket of the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite will fall into South Korean territory or waters.

Kim In-kyung, KBS World Radio News.