SEOUL - The Republic of Korea (ROK) may shoot down a rocket that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) plans to launch next month if it falls into ROK's territory, defense ministry said here on Monday.  

"We are preparing for measures to track the missile's trajectory and shoot it down if it deviates from the route," a defense ministry spokesman told reporters during a briefing, calling the planned launch "a reckless act of provocation."

ROK and the United States are keeping a close eye on military activity in the DPRK, the spokesman added.

The DPRK announced earlier this month that it planned to launch a rocket-mounted satellite in mid-April.

While the DPRK claimed the launch will abide by international norms and blasts its critics for continuing "hostile policy" toward Pyongyang, ROK and the United States see the move as a plan to test a long-range missile that could possibly carry nuclear weapons.

Japan is also reportedly planning to intercept a rocket if it falls within the Japanese territory.