March 12 (Bloomberg) -- North Korea has notified international agencies that it plans to launch a satellite between April 4 and 8, Yonhap News reported, a move that the U.S. and South Korea say would violate a UN resolution.

North Korea has informed the International Maritime Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization of the launch, the official Korea Central News Agency said. The U.S. and South Korea say there are signs North Korea is planning to test a Taepodong-2 missile that is technically capable of reaching Alaska.

The communist regime is trying to minimize tensions by giving advanced warning, said Choi Jong Kun, a political science professor at Yonsei University in Seoul. North Korea gave no official notification when it tested a Taepodong-1 missile in 1998, which flew across Japan before landing in the Pacific Ocean.

“North Korea doesn’t want a confrontational relationship with the U.S., so it’s taking proper steps this time,” Choi said.

North Korea entered into two “international treaties” on space exploration, KCNA said without naming them. The notification is part of “preparations for launching Kwangmyongsong-2, an experimental communications satellite, on board its Unha-2 rocket.”

UN Resolution

South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung Hwan said yesterday that any rocket test would violate United Nations Resolution 1718, adopted after North Korea tested a nuclear device in October 2006.

Kim Jong Il’s regime said Feb. 24 it intends to launch a communications satellite as part of a peaceful space project.

South Korea is willing to hold talks with the North even as it appears to be preparing to launch a missile, Unification Minister Hyun In Taek told lawmakers in Seoul today.

“Looking at all the circumstantial evidence, I believe it to be a missile,” Hyun said. “We don’t have exact data to base it on since North Korea hasn’t fired the device yet, but given North Korea’s security situation it is likely a missile.”

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said yesterday officials would “discuss a response if we are not successful in convincing them not to go forward with what is a very provocative act.” There are “a range of options available to take action against the North Koreans in the wake of a missile launch if they pursue that, but also to try to resume the six- party talks,” she said.

Stalled Talks

Kim’s regime agreed in February 2007 to scrap its nuclear program in return for energy aid and normalized diplomatic ties with the U.S. and Japan. The disarmament talks, also involving China, Japan and Russia, are currently stalled with North Korea refusing to let inspectors remove samples from its Yongbyon reactor, the source of the country’s weapons-grade plutonium.

Wi Sung Lac, South Korea’s chief nuclear negotiator, told reporters today that North Korea’s plan to launch a satellite “is not good” for the disarmament process. Wi and his Russian counterpart, Deputy Foreign Minster Alexei Borodavkin, met today in Seoul. Wi will visit Tokyo next week to discuss North Korea and the launch plans, South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman Moon Tae Young told reporters today.

To contact the reporters on this story: Heejin Koo in Seoul at hjkoo@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: March 12, 2009 02:54 EDT