North Korea tells int'l agencies of rocket plans

SEOUL, March 12 (Reuters) - North Korea said on Thursday it has informed international agencies that it plans to launch a satellite, which the U.S. and South Korean governments believe will really be a test of its longest-range missile.

North Korea said it has acceded to an international treaty on space exploration "as part of its preparations for launching Kwangmyongsong-2, an experimental communications satellite", its KCNA news agency reported.

North Korea did not give a date for the launch.

Analysts said there are a few technical differences between a satellite launch and a test of its longest range ballistic missile because both use the same rocket, which is called the Taepodong-2 outside of the secretive North.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday in Washington that "a range of options" could be pursued against North Korea if it tests a long-range ballistic missile, including seeking action in the U.N. Security Council. (Reporting by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Paul Tait)