South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan said Thursday the Democratic People's Republic of Korea( DPRK)'s planned rocket launch can be discussed on the sidelines of a global conference next week. "Heads of state are expected to discuss what needs to be done to stop the launch of Kwangmyongsong-3,"Kim told reporters in a briefing. "The issue will be discussed based on our shared understanding that the launch will violate a U.N. resolution."

The minister's remarks came after U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon reportedly said in Malaysia he will discuss the matter with heads of state attending the two-day Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, including South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.

The Seoul summit, aimed at discussing reducing and protecting radioactive materials and keeping terrorists at bay from nuclear materials and facilities, will bring together 57 heads of state and representatives of international organizations.

Last week, the DPRK's space technology committee announced it will go ahead with the plan to launch a "polar-orbiting Earth observation satellite" on an Unha-3 rocket between April 12 and 16 to mark the centenary of the birth of Kim Il Sung, the country's founding leader.

South Korea has repeatedly censured the move, calling it "an act of great provocation" and violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874 banning all launches using ballistic missile technology.

The DPRK, meanwhile, has said the April launch will "strictly abide by relevant international regulations" and accused countries opposed to the plan of continuing "hostile policy" toward Pyongyang.