AKIPRESS.COM - North Korea has indicated that it will launch a satellite sometime between February 8-25, a United Nations agency said Tuesday, drawing condemnation from South Korea and Japan.

North Korea told the International Telecommunication Union on Tuesday that it intends to launch an Earth observation satellite, ITU spokesman Sanjay Acharya said. The ITU registers all satellite transmission frequencies to ensure there is no cross-satellite interference, reports CNN.

South Korea condemned the planned launch as a "direct challenge against the international community," and warned that North Korea would pay a "grave price" if it went ahead.

"North Korea must clearly understand that if they carry out long-range missile test, it would be a severe threat against peace and stability of the Korean peninsula, this region and the world and must immediately withdraw its plan," said Cho Tae-yong, First Deputy Director of National Security, South Korean Presidential Office.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also urged North Korea to "refrain" from the launch, and ordered his cabinet to work closely with the U.S and South Korea to gather information and prepare a potential response.