SEOUL: North Korea insisted Monday it was unfairly punished for its long-range rocket launch in April, noting that South Korea also plans a blast-off this month.

The foreign ministry said it would watch closely to see whether world powers would also refer the South's launch to the United Nations Security Council.

"Their reaction and attitude towards South Korea's satellite launch will once again clearly prove whether the principle of equality exists or has collapsed," said a statement on the official news agency.

Pyongyang reiterated Monday it quit the long-running six-party talks because some countries involved in them had referred the rocket launch to the UN.

"This resulted in violating the principle of respect for sovereignty and equality, the life and soul and basis of the talks, and bringing them to an end," its statement said.

"We will closely watch if the above-said parties will also refer South Korea's satellite launch to the UNSC." LINK