The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has expressed concern about North Korea's planned rocket launch.

The association's secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan said Sunday that all ten member states of ASEAN are deeply concerned that instabilities on the Korean Peninsula could lead to an arms race and nuclear armament in the region.

He said the rocket launch will also affect the trade and investment sentiment in the ASEAN region.

He said the association's leaders will discuss the North's rocket launch on Monday.

The Philippines' Foreign Ministry said earlier that it delivered a letter to North Korea protesting the launch plan via third parties including the UN, China and ASEAN.