President Park Geun-hye said Thursday that North Korea's long-range missile launch should never be condoned as she called for strong sanctions to stop North Korea's move.

North Korea's planned launch is "a desperate measure to maintain" its regime and shows that it is not afraid of U.N. sanctions, Park said in a statement read by Kim Sung-woo, chief presidential press secretary.

North Korea has informed U.N. agencies that it will launch what it claims is a satellite between Feb. 8 and Feb. 25.

North Korea has described the launch of satellites as part of its space development program.

Still, South Korea, the United States and other regional powers view the North's satellite launch as a cover for testing its ballistic missile technology, which is banned under U.N. resolutions.

Experts say a rocket can carry either a satellite or a warhead, so the technology used in launching a satellite could be diverted for military purposes.

The North's planned launch "should never be condoned as it poses a threat to peace on the Korean Peninsula and the world," Park said.

Park also called for close cooperation with the international community against North Korea's provocations.

The U.N. Security Council has been working to punish North Korea for its fourth nuclear test last month.

North Korea has long been under an array of U.S. and U.N. sanctions for its ballistic missile and nuclear tests.

Park said the North's move shows that it will continue to threaten the international community to maintain its regime.

"The only way to stop North Korea's misjudgement is to make North Korea realize that it cannot survive unless it abandons its nuclear program," Park said.

The North has repeatedly pledged to boost its nuclear capability, viewing its nuclear program as a powerful deterrent against what it claims is Washington's hostile policy toward it. (Yonhap)