(VOVworld)- Southeast Asian nations will discuss the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's planned rocket launch at a summit this week. ASEAN  Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan on Sunday told reporters in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, where officials are preparing for a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

ASEAN Chief Surin Pitsuwan

The move came after the Philippines lodged diplomatic protests over the matter. Pyongyang announced last month it would launch a rocket between April 12 and 16 to place a satellite in orbit, sparking alarm in the region.

In related development, the DPRK will hold a key political conference next week, amid rising tensions over its planned rocket launch to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of late President Kim Il-sung. The conference is expected to be closely watched by regional officials and analysts for new leader Kim Jong Un’s possible promotion to top posts held by his late father, Kim Jong-il. The North is also scheduled to hold a separate parliamentary session on April 13, the first such meeting since the demise of Kim Jong-il.