SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea warned North Korea not to carry out a rocket launch later this month as announced by Pyongyang on Saturday, saying it was a test of a long-range missile in disguise, a provocation that violated U.N. ban and a challenge to the international community.

"That North Korea is trying yet again to launch a long-range missile is a grave provocation that ignores the international community's concern and warnings and a direct challenge against it," South Korea's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

(Reporting by Jack Kim; Edited by Ron Popeski)