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N Korea warned over rocket launch N Korea warned over rocket launch
(about 1 hour later)
US President Barack Obama and his South Korean counterpart have agreed a "stern, united response" must follow any rocket launch by North Korea.US President Barack Obama and his South Korean counterpart have agreed a "stern, united response" must follow any rocket launch by North Korea.
Mr Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak discussed the issue on the sidelines of the G20 summit in London.Mr Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak discussed the issue on the sidelines of the G20 summit in London.
They agreed "to work together" on a joint reaction to a launch, the Associated Press news agency quotes the presidential office in Seoul as saying.They agreed "to work together" on a joint reaction to a launch, the Associated Press news agency quotes the presidential office in Seoul as saying.
North Korea says it plans to launch a satellite between 4-8 April.North Korea says it plans to launch a satellite between 4-8 April.
Other states believe it will be a missile. Other states believe it is a cover for testing long-range missile technology.
President Lee and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, meeting in London on Wednesday, affirmed their intention to refer Pyongyang to the UN Security Council for sanctions if a launch is carried out. North Korea has warned that any attempts to impose UN sanctions would be seen as a hostile act, and any attempt to intercept its launch an act of war.
A Japanese official said they had secured the backing of several G20 partners, including Britain and Australia. 'Thunderbolt of fire'
North Korea has warned that any UN action would be seen as a hostile act, and any attempt to intercept its launch an act of war. The US and South Korean leaders met before the global talks on the economic crisis got under way.
"They agreed on the need for a stern, united response from the international community if North Korea launches a long-range rocket, and to work together in the course of that," the South Korean presidential office said in a statement.
There was no immediate word from the White House.
President Obama told journalists that South Korea is one of "America's closest allies and greatest friends".
Ahead of the G20, President Lee met Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso in London to discuss the issue.
They affirmed their intention to refer Pyongyang to the UN Security Council for sanctions if a launch is carried out - a move backed by the US.
North Korea's missile programme
Mr Lee stressed the need for a "united response" among world leaders to the threat from the North.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd have already expressed their support, and several other G20 partners are also said to back UN action.
President Lee said they should also try to convince China and Russia, security council members with veto power, to "join in a strong response".
But the International Crisis Group, a leading think tank, says China and Russia could exercise their veto on Pyongyang's behalf if a final resolution makes "no mention of launches relating to peaceful outer space activities."
Japan also won backing from President Lee to shoot down the rocket if it misfires and endangers Japanese territory, Japan's deputy cabinet secretary for public relations, Osamu Sakashita, said.
"Japan can rightly take any action to protect its territory," he said, and the South Korean president "completely agreed with Mr Aso's views."
The North has warned it would consider any interception "the start of Japan's war of re-invasion."
North Korea's military has threatened immediate retaliation if "even the slightest effort" is made to intercept its rocket.
The North's official Korean Central News Agency quoted the military as specifically mentioning Japan, the United States and South Korea, threatening Japan with a "thunderbolt of fire" if it interfered with the launch.