North Korea Says U.S. 'Overreacting' To Planned Rocket Launch

North Korea has accused the United States of "overreacting" to a planned rocket launch by suspending a bilateral deal to provide food aid.

Washington announced this week that it was suspending the provision of 240,000 tons of food aid because the planned rocket launch violates North Korea's part of the deal, which included suspending its nuclear and missile programs.

An unidentified North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman said the U.S. suspension would render the agreement "null and void."

Pyongyang has said it will launch a satellite between April 12 and 16.

Japan said on March 30 it would intercept the rocket if it or any parts of it threaten to hit Japanese territory.

Based on reporting by AP and ITAR-TASS