Russian summons North Korean envoy over missile

MOSCOW, June 22 (Reuters) Russia's Foreign Ministry today summoned North Korea's ambassador over reports that its secretive neighbour is planning to launch a ballistic missile.

Washington has warned Pyongyang not to test fire the missile, saying it would be a clear threat to international peace but Russia, which shares a short border with the communist state, has so far made no made any official comments.

''It was stressed that any steps that could negatively impact regional stability and complicate the quest for a way to settle the nuclear problem on the Korean peninsula were undesirable,'' the ministry said in a statement.

The White House has said North Korea is far along in its preparations for the launch, although South Korea's Yonhap news agency has reported that Pyongyang wanted talks over the crisis.

South Korea and Japan are also concerned about the potential launch, which has caused concerns in a region already worried by Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov, who is close to President Vladimir Putin, said earlier today he knew nothing about the reported launch plans.

''We have no sure date on North Korean plans to launch a ballistic missile,'' he was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying, adding that Pyongyang was not part of arms control pacts that would oblige it to tell other countries.

''Therefore, some states are concerned by the possible launch. I understand their concerns.'' REUTERS SB PC2037