MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to the spokesperson, who was quoted by the Japanese NHK broadcaster, the launch will be carried out sometime between February 8 and 25.
Earlier, South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said Seoul would view any satellite launch conducted by Pyongyang as a ballistic-missile test.
Tensions over North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs escalated after Pyongyang said on January 6 that it had successfully carried out a hydrogen bomb test, which triggered a wave of condemnation from the international community.
In late January, Japanese media reported that satellite imagery indicated North Korea was preparing to test-launch a long-range missile.
