DHAKA: South Korea has warned the North it will ‘pay a harsh price’ if it goes ahead with its plan to launch a satellite into space.

North Korea said on Tuesday it intended to carry out the launch between 8 and 25 February.

Critics say it is a cover for a test of ballistic missile technology.

Japan’s defense minister said he had issued an order to shoot down any missile that threatened to fall on Japanese territory.

Washington has said any North Korean launch would be an ‘egregious violation’ of a UN ban on missile launches by North Korea, and called for more sanctions.

North Korea has always said its space program is peaceful, but it is believed to be developing an intercontinental ballistic missile.

It also conducted its fourth nuclear bomb test on 6 January, drawing international condemnation, reports the BBC.

BDST: 1530 HRS, FEB 03, 2016
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