SEOUL - North Korea on Tuesday issued a formal notification of an imminent satellite rocket launch -- flagging a second major breach of UN resolutions following its nuclear test last month.
North Korea's last satellite in 2012 triggered global outrage and UN condemnation
The International Maritime Organisation said it had received a shipping warning from North Korea of its intention to launch an earth observation satellite between February 8-25.
Although Pyongyang insists its space programme is purely scientific in nature, the international community views such launches as disguised ballistic missile tests.
UN resolutions forbid the North from any use of ballistic missile technology, and imposed sanctions following its last rocket launch in December 2012.
If the notified launch goes ahead, it will be a particularly defiant slap in the face of the United States which has spent the last month seeking international support for tough sanctions on Pyongyang over its January 6 nuclear test.