LONDON - JAPAN'S Prime Minister Taro Aso warned on Thursday that an imminent North Korean rocket launch would damage the peace and stability of the region.

Speaking after a G-20 summit in London, Mr Aso said the rocket - which is expected to pass over Japanese territory - would violate UN Security Council resolutions.

'The test launching of the missile will damage the peace and stability in the region,' Mr Aso told reporters.

'The test launching will constitute a violation of the UN Security Council resolutions and therefore it is not acceptable.'

He stressed that if North Korea went ahead with the test-firing - which Pyongyang insists is aimed at launching a satellite into space - then 'we must take up the matter firmly at the Security Council.'

The Japanese Kyodo news agency reported that Mr Aso said the firing would take place on Saturday.

Pyongyang has said it plans to launch a satellite between Saturday and next Wednesday, but has not given a firm date.

Washington and its allies say the rocket launch is a disguised test of a long-range ballistic missile.

North Korea's military on Thursday threatened to attack 'major targets' in Japan if Tokyo tries to shoot down the satellite. -- AFP