North Korea reiterated its resolve Friday to launch a satellite, calling it a sovereign right, in its latest show of defiance against growing international calls against the provocation.
  
"The more enemy forces will hamper our plan for space development, the more severe our counteraction will be," the North's official Korean Central News Agency said in a dispatch.
  
North Korea said it is determined to exercise its right to launch a satellite into orbit, no matter what others say about its plan.
  
The North's move came hours after the United States vowed to do all it can to pressure North Korea to give up its nuclear program amid concern that Pyongyang could conduct a nuclear or missile test.
  
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has also warned that North Korea will face "severe consequences" if it forges ahead with irresponsible provocations.
  
The North has claimed it has the right to conduct space research by launching what it called satellites, but outside analysts view this as a cover for ballistic missile tests.
  
The satellite launch, if made, could draw international condemnation and tougher sanctions by the U.N Security Council.
  
North Korea has been under U.N. sanctions for its missile and nuclear tests. (Yonhap)