Korea's transportation ministry said Tuesday it will provide up-to-date information on the planned launch of a North Korean rocket to better protect ships and airplanes that could be hit by falling debris.

All 15 maritime traffic control centers will be placed on heightened readiness and be prepared to issue vital navigation warnings to safeguard vessels operating off South Korea's western and southwestern coasts, it said.

It also said local air traffic control will make known flight paths that could be affected by rocket debris and order planes to take longer, circuitous routes. It said some routes will be banned temporarily to prevent accidents.

Warnings for ships will be issued as very high frequency messages and alarm indication signals, the ministry said.

The protective measure comes as North Korea reiterated it will launch a three-stage Unha-3 long-range rocket in the next few days. Pyongyang said the launch will take place between Thursday and Monday.

The ministry said the first stage main booster rocket is expected to fall in waters 170 kilometers west of Gunsan and about 274 kilometers south of Seoul. The second stage rocket is expected to hit the sea east of the Philippines. (Yonhap)