South Korea says there will be "serious repercussions" if North Korea goes ahead with the test of a long-range missile -- and it's demanding the North halt plans for such a test.

President Bush, meanwhile, has chatted with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on the phone about the Korean situation.

North Korea is criticizing the U.S. for its plans to build a missile defense shield.

The North says plans for such a shield by the U.S. and Japan would lead to a dangerous arms race.

North Korea is allegedly moving toward testing a long-range ballistic missile believed capable of reaching the U.S. coast.

A member of the South's ruling party has issued a statement, saying the North has been told of the "serious repercussions of a missile launch."

There are conflicting reports about whether the rocket is fueled and ready to fire.