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North Korea has notified Japan of its plans to launch a satellite in the coming days, possibly as a second attempt to put a military spy satellite into orbit. This comes three months after the first effort failed when the rocket carrying the satellite plunged into the sea shortly after liftoff. The failed launch was a setback to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s goal of establishing a space-based surveillance system to monitor the U.S. and South Korea more effectively.

The Japanese coast guard confirmed that North Korean authorities provided notice of the planned satellite launch, which will take place between August 24 and the end of August 30. The type of satellite was not specified, but it is believed to be similar to the spy satellite launched in May. Japan has issued safety warnings for vessels passing through three maritime zones that could be affected by the launch.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has instructed officials to gather and analyze information about the launch and prepare for any emergencies. He has also called for cooperation with the U.S., South Korea, and other concerned countries to urge North Korea not to conduct the launch. South Korea’s Unification Ministry considers the planned satellite launch to be “an illegal provocation” that violates U.N. Security Council resolutions.

The launch plan coincides with annual military drills between the U.S. and South Korea, which North Korea views as a rehearsal for invasion. It is expected that North Korea will continue its provocative run of missile tests in reaction to the exercises. The leaders of the U.S., South Korea, and Japan recently met and agreed to increase defense cooperation to address North Korea’s nuclear and military threats.

North Korea’s state media warned that the drills are deepening the danger of a nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea has been carrying out numerous weapons tests since the start of 2022, including nuclear-capable missiles designed to strike the U.S. mainland, South Korea, and Japan. North Korea claims that these tests are in response to the expansion of U.S.-South Korea military training, while Washington and Seoul maintain that their drills are defensive in nature.

South Korea’s spy agency revealed that North Korea is taking steps for the test flights of intercontinental ballistic missiles, shorter-range nuclear-capable missiles, and a spy satellite launch. South Korea previously retrieved wreckage from North Korea’s failed attempt to put a spy satellite into space, concluding that the satellite was not advanced enough for reconnaissance purposes as claimed by North Korea.

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