North Korea ready to launch rocket

Seoul, Washington label move as ‘grave act of provocation’

By Kim Young-jin

Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin and U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta labeled North Korea’s rocket launch as a “grave act of provocation” Tuesday as the Stalinist country completed its preparation for what it claims is an effort to send its Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite into orbit.

According to Seoul officials, the two agreed that it would be tantamount to a long-distance missile test and would be subject to sanctions for a violation of U.N Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and related international agreements.

The two also agreed to jointly deal with the North’s provocation resolutely.