The US State Department has described North Korea\'s planned rocket launch as “highly provocative.” Washington believes such a plan would directly violate the North\'s international obligations. North Korea said on Friday it would launch a satellite into space on the back of a long-range rocket this April, AP reports. The move could jeopardize an agreement with the US on the exchange of food aid for nuclear concessions. A UN resolution bars North Korea from launches using ballistic missile technology.