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Russian deputy FM expresses concern over North Korea’s plans to launch carrier rocket

The Korean side was strongly advised to refrain from actions that may lead to further escalation in North-East Asia, the Russian Foreign Ministry says

MOSCOW, February 4. /TASS/. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov has expressed concern over Pyongyang’s plans to launch a carrier rocket at the meeting with North Korea’s Ambassador to Moscow Kim Hyung-joon, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

"Deep concern was expressed over North Korea’s announcement of planned launch of a rocket," the foreign ministry said. "The Korean side was strongly advised to refrain from actions that may lead to further escalation in North-East Asia, ensure strict observance of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and return to the format of political-diplomatic settlement of nuclear and other problems of the Korean Peninsula," the ministry added.

Previously, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) told TASS that North Korea informed the United Nations about the intention to launch an Earth observation satellite in the period between 8 and 25 February. The ITU received a letter from the DPRK Permanent Mission to the United Nations, informing that North Korea plans to launch an Earth observation satellite, spokesman for the Geneva-based ITU Sanjay Acharya told TASS on Tuesday. The London-based IMO has also confirmed the fact of receiving the DPRK notification. IMO has received information from the DPRK regarding the launch of an Earth observation satellite between 8 and 25 February, Natasha Brown, an IMO spokesperson, told TASS.