1. Wide of Yu Woo-ik, South Korean Unification Minister, arriving at "Global Forum on North Korean Economy"

2. Close-up of Yu

3. Wide of Yu on stage delivering speech

4. Cutaway of forum delegates

5. SOUNDBITE: (Korean) Yu Woo-ik, South Korean Unification Minister:

"North Korea's long-range rocket launch is a grave, provocative act and a serious security threat against South Korea and the international community. I cannot help a feeling of regret in relation to the North Korean regime's senseless attitude. Ignoring the reality, in which North Korean people are becoming refugees crossing the border to come to a foreign country, after suffering from political oppression and starvation, and enforcing the long-range rocket launch, which is an enormous expense."

6. Close-up of delegates

7. Wide of Yu on stage delivering speech

8. SOUNDBITE: (Korean) Yu Woo-ik, South Korean Unification Minister:

"Even though North Korea's action is very disappointing, the South Korean government will not fall short on expectations of the common benefit and mutual prosperity of the South Korea-North Korea relationship. We ask for our people to remain patient, and we are going to continue to open the door for dialogue."

9. Wide of delegates

10. Mid of Yu bowing after speech and turning to walk off stage

11. Wide of Yu shaking hands with forum delegates after speech

SCRIPT

A senior South Korean official has described North Korea's plans to launch a rocket as a "grave, provocative act" and a "serious security threat."

Speaking at a forum on North Korea's economy in Seoul on Wednesday, Unification Minister Yu Woo-ik described Pyongyang's attitude as "senseless."

North Korea announced on Friday that it would fire an observation satellite into space on a new rocket as part of celebrations next month to mark the 100th anniversary of late President Kim Il Sung's birth.

Kim's grandson, Kim Jong Un, has led the nation of 24 (m) million since his father, Kim Jong Il, died in December.

The US, Japan, Britain and others have urged North Korea to cancel the planned launch, calling it a threat to diplomatic efforts, and warning that it would violate a UN ban on nuclear and missile activity because the same rocket technology can be used for long-range missiles.

North Korea argues that such launches are part of a peaceful space programme that is exempt from any disarmament agreements.

It said the launch would be a test of satellite technology.

Yu urged South Koreans to "remain patient" and said that "we (South Korea) are going to continue to open the door for dialogue."

The US has warned that a deal to resume stalled food aid to the North could be jeopardised if North Korea goes ahead with the launch.

US President Barack Obama plans to visit the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea at the start of an international trip next week, the White House said on Tuesday.

The DMZ trip is Obama's first stop on a three-day visit to Seoul, South Korea, for an international summit on keeping nuclear weapons materials out of the hands of militant extremists.

North Korea has built and tested nuclear devices and is suspected in the spread of weapons of mass destruction to other countries.

North Korea is not invited to the security gathering.

1. Wide of Yu Woo-ik, South Korean Unification Minister, arriving at "Global Forum on North Korean Economy"

2. Close-up of Yu

3. Wide of Yu on stage delivering speech

4. Cutaway of forum delegates

5. SOUNDBITE: (Korean) Yu Woo-ik, South Korean Unification Minister:

"North Korea's long-range rocket launch is a grave, provocative act and a serious security threat against South Korea and the international community. I cannot help a feeling of regret in relation to the North Korean regime's senseless attitude. Ignoring the reality, in which North Korean people are becoming refugees crossing the border to come to a foreign country, after suffering from political oppression and starvation, and enforcing the long-range rocket launch, which is an enormous expense."

6. Close-up of delegates

7. Wide of Yu on stage delivering speech

8. SOUNDBITE: (Korean) Yu Woo-ik, South Korean Unification Minister:

"Even though North Korea's action is very disappointing, the South Korean government will not fall short on expectations of the common benefit and mutual prosperity of the South Korea-North Korea relationship. We ask for our people to remain patient, and we are going to continue to open the door for dialogue."

9. Wide of delegates

10. Mid of Yu bowing after speech and turning to walk off stage

11. Wide of Yu shaking hands with forum delegates after speech

SCRIPT

A senior South Korean official has described North Korea's plans to launch a rocket as a "grave, provocative act" and a "serious security threat."

Speaking at a forum on North Korea's economy in Seoul on Wednesday, Unification Minister Yu Woo-ik described Pyongyang's attitude as "senseless."

North Korea announced on Friday that it would fire an observation satellite into space on a new rocket as part of celebrations next month to mark the 100th anniversary of late President Kim Il Sung's birth.

Kim's grandson, Kim Jong Un, has led the nation of 24 (m) million since his father, Kim Jong Il, died in December.

The US, Japan, Britain and others have urged North Korea to cancel the planned launch, calling it a threat to diplomatic efforts, and warning that it would violate a UN ban on nuclear and missile activity because the same rocket technology can be used for long-range missiles.

North Korea argues that such launches are part of a peaceful space programme that is exempt from any disarmament agreements.

It said the launch would be a test of satellite technology.

Yu urged South Koreans to "remain patient" and said that "we (South Korea) are going to continue to open the door for dialogue."

The US has warned that a deal to resume stalled food aid to the North could be jeopardised if North Korea goes ahead with the launch.

US President Barack Obama plans to visit the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea at the start of an international trip next week, the White House said on Tuesday.

The DMZ trip is Obama's first stop on a three-day visit to Seoul, South Korea, for an international summit on keeping nuclear weapons materials out of the hands of militant extremists.

North Korea has built and tested nuclear devices and is suspected in the spread of weapons of mass destruction to other countries.

North Korea is not invited to the security gathering.