N.Korea to Fire Space Rocket Carrying Satellite

North Korea has notified Japan that it plans to launch a satellite between Wednesday and Dec. 1, the Japanese press reported Monday.

The rocket carrying the satellite into space will be based on the same technology as an intercontinental ballistic missile, making the plan a grave violation of UN sanctions.

The North informed Japan of the trajectory, even though the rocket will drop its parts over North Korean waters or in the eastern Pacific Ocean near the Philippines, which are both outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.

The U.S. State Department protested. Spokesman Matthew Miller said, "Our concerns about North Korea's ballistic missile program and other military programs are well-known. Our concerns about the transfer of technology between Russia and North Korea, whether it's Russia providing North Korea with technology or whether it's North Korea providing arms to Russia, are also well known."

"We will continue to monitor them closely and take whatever actions are appropriate with our allies in the region to monitor and respond to North Korea's destabilizing behavior," he added.

North Korea last attempted to launch a reconnaissance satellite in August, but it failed to enter orbit, but pundits say a successful launch is only a matter of time.