South Korea is taking measures necessary to cope with North Korea's planned launch of a long-range rocket, Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday.

Presidential spokesman Jeong Yeon-guk made the remark to Yonhap News Agency, saying the country is "keeping a close eye on moves related to North Korea's long-range missile launch."

The North has notified U.N. agencies that it will launch an earth observation satellite Feb. 8-25. That confirmed the concern that the communist nation is readying for a banned long-range rocket launch just a few weeks after its fourth nuclear test. (Yonhap)