South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki- moon on Wednesday urged Pyongyang to halt the alleged preparations for a missile test and asked an early return to the negotiation table of the six-party talks.

"The government has serious concerns over the possibility" that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) launches a missile, Ban said at his weekly press briefing.

"Related ministries (in South Korea) are also in close consultations and taking necessary steps," Ban said, adding that Seoul and Washington are sharing information on the affairs.

The possible launch of a DPRK missile would have "a great deal of negative impact" on the six-party talks that having been suspended since late 2005, Ban said.

According to the Yonhap News Agency, South Korean Ambassador to the United States Lee Tae-sik confirmed early Wednesday the reported signs of DPRK's preparation for a missile test.

However, Lee said it would be too early to conclude that Pyongyang will actually fire the missile.

Source: Xinhua