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North Korea has informed Japan of its intention to launch a reconnaissance satellite into space. The expected launch window is between Thursday and August 31. This announcement comes months after North Korea’s failed attempt to launch a satellite earlier this year.

The office of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida released a statement confirming that they had been informed of the launch window. Japan, along with the United States and South Korea, strongly urged North Korea to reconsider the launch. Tokyo’s Ministry of Defense stated that they are prepared to take demolitions measures if necessary to ensure Japan’s security.

North Korea’s repeated ballistic missile launches and other actions pose a threat to Japan, the region, and the international community, according to Prime Minister Kishida’s office. They also stated that launching a spy satellite using ballistic missile technology would violate relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The prime minister’s office took to social media to assure the Japanese people that they are taking all possible measures to guarantee their safety and security. They are fully prepared for contingencies that may arise from the launch.

This is not the first time North Korea has attempted to launch a spy satellite. In May, they tried to launch one using their Chollima-1 rocket, but it failed and landed in the Yellow Sea. The launch was condemned by South Korea, Japan, and the United States, with Tokyo accusing North Korea of using the launch to test ballistic missile technology. The salvage operation concluded that the satellite had no military utility.

Prior to the unsuccessful launch, North Korea had informed Tokyo and the International Maritime Organization of their plans to launch the satellite between May 31 and June 11.

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