URGENT: Russia advises N.Korea against rocket launch plans

MOSCOW, March 27 (RIA Novosti) - A deputy Russian foreign minister joined international criticism of North Korea's planned launch of a rocket with a satellite, urging the country on Friday not to raise tensions in the region.

North Korea announced plans last month to launch what it says is a communications satellite. However, the U.S., Japan and South Korea believe that the secretive state is planning to test a long-range missile.

"We understand that the situation in northeast Asia is currently very tense. It would therefore be better if our North Korean partners were to refrain from the launch," Alexei Borodavkin told reporters.