Observers say satellite plan could escalate tensions, lead to new sanctions

Beijing on Tuesday called on Pyongyang to "act prudently" about its proposed rocket launch this month, as the UN urged it to reconsider the decision.

Observers warned of consequences of the launch, including increased tension on the Korean Peninsula, possible UN condemnation, sanctions and the likelihood that Washington would plan more joint military drills in the region.

China has exchanged views with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea "several times" about the rocket launch, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in Beijing on Tuesday.

"As a sovereign state, the DPRK is entitled to the peaceful use of outer space, but in consideration of the situation on the Korea Peninsula and the restrictions of UN Security Council resolutions, China hopes the DPRK will proceed looking at the big picture of peace and stability on the peninsula and act prudently," the spokesman said.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is "seriously concerned" that the launch would heighten tensions in the region and urged the DPRK to reconsider its decision, Ban's office said in a statement on Tuesday.

Ban said the move would violate UN Security Council resolutions forbidding Pyongyang from conducting launches that use ballistic missile technology.

Shi Yuanhua, director of the Center for Korean Studies at the Institute of International Studies of Fudan University in Shanghai, warned that the situation could deteriorate.

"Pyongyang might not change its plan despite Beijing urges it to make a cautious decision," Shi said.

The DPRK said on Saturday it is planning to launch another satellite this month, after a failed attempt in April.

Pyongyang announced it would carry out its second long-range rocket launch of the year between Dec 10 and 22, the official KCNA news agency reported.

In the DPRK's first launch this year, on April 13, the Kwangmyongsong-3 long-range rocket crashed into the sea after traveling a short distance.

Criticism poured in about the launch, with Washington and Seoul calling it a highly provocative act.

"After the launch, the US may submit the case once again to the UN Security Council for discussion, and it may call for passing a new resolution sanctioning the DPRK," said Zhang Liangui, an expert on Korean Studies at Party School of Central Committee of Communist Party of China.

The ROK is bracing for a presidential election on Dec 19. "The planned launch may prompt the two leading candidates and potential leaders to come up with tough positions that would be unfavorable to the DPRK," said Shi.

Meanwhile, Hong Lei confirmed that China has maintained contact with the other nations in the Six-Party Talks, which also include the ROK, US, Russia and Japan.

"We hope these parties will look at this from a long-term perspective, deal with this calmly and avoid taking actions that may further escalate the tension," he said.

Xinhua and AFP contributed to this story.

zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 12/05/2012 page12)