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North Korea has informed Japan’s coast guard of its intention to launch a satellite between Thursday and August 31, according to a Japanese media report. The launch is believed to be a retry of a military reconnaissance satellite that North Korea attempted in May but failed. The secretive regime has designated three maritime danger zones for the launch.

In May, North Korea launched its first military spy satellite, named Malligyong-1, but it crashed into the Yellow Sea due to an abnormal starting of the second-stage engine. Now, the regime is preparing to put another spy satellite into orbit. South Korea’s spy agency has also suggested that North Korea could launch a reconnaissance satellite in late August or early September, ahead of the 75th anniversary of the regime’s founding on September 9.

At a trilateral summit between the leaders of South Korea, the United States, and Japan, held at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland, the countries agreed to cooperate closely for stronger missile defense against North Korea. North Korea has vowed to develop high-tech weapons, including a military spy satellite, solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles, and a nuclear-powered submarine.

While the South Korean military has stated that the North’s spy satellite has “no military utility,” experts believe that it could enhance North Korea’s surveillance capability and enable precise strikes in war situations. However, there are still doubts about the North’s satellite capabilities.

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