News

North Korea has informed Japan that it intends to launch a satellite in the coming days, with reports suggesting it could be a second attempt to put a military spy satellite into orbit. This follows an unsuccessful launch in late May, where the rocket carrying the satellite fell into the sea shortly after liftoff. North Korea vowed to make a second attempt after analyzing the issues that caused the failure of the first launch.

According to reports, Japan’s coast guard has been notified that North Korea plans to launch a satellite between Thursday and August 31. The launch is believed to be an attempt to deploy a military reconnaissance satellite. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has instructed relevant government agencies to analyze the plan and work with the United States and South Korea to urge North Korea not to proceed with the launch.

North Korea has designated three maritime danger zones for the launch, located outside of Japan’s exclusive economic zone. This announcement comes as the US and South Korean militaries have begun annual military exercises, which North Korea considers a rehearsal for invasion. The “Ulchi Freedom Shield” drills are conducted through computer-simulated command post training, along with over 30 field training exercises.

The recent summit between the leaders of the US, South Korea, and Japan at Camp David resulted in an agreement to strengthen defense cooperation in response to North Korea’s nuclear and military threats. In response to the military exercises, North Korea’s state media has warned that they deepen the danger of a nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula.

Last week, South Korea’s spy agency reported that North Korea was preparing for the test flights of intercontinental ballistic missiles, shorter-range nuclear-capable missiles, and a spy satellite launch. This aligns with North Korea’s public declaration to acquire high-tech weapons systems, including spy satellites, to expand its nuclear arsenal.

The failed satellite launch in May raised tensions in the region and was condemned by the United States and its allies for violating U.N. Security Council resolutions. Both South Korea and Japan briefly issued warnings for people to take shelter in certain areas in response to the failed launch.

The post North Korea Plans to Launch Satellite, Possibly a Second Attempt appeared first on satProviders.