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North Korea has announced plans to launch another satellite, just three months after its unsuccessful attempt to put a military satellite in orbit. The launch is scheduled to take place between August 24 and 31, and has drawn condemnation from Japan and South Korea. Tokyo has mobilized its coast guard and PAC-3 missile defense system in case the satellite lands in their territory, while Seoul considers the launch to be an illegal act that violates UN sanctions.

The United States has also expressed its concern and urged North Korea to refrain from further unlawful activity. The launch is seen as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions that prohibit the North from conducting tests using ballistic technology, which can be used for space launches and missile systems.

North Korea’s failed attempt in May prompted the government to vow to successfully launch its spy satellite in the near future, serving as a counterbalance to the growing US military presence in the region. The timing of the new launch plan coincides with the joint military drills between South Korea and the US, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, which aim to counter the North’s nuclear threats.

The North Korean government views these joint drills as rehearsals for invasion and has warned of overwhelming action in response. Suspected North Korean hackers have already targeted the exercises, launching email attacks on South Korean contractors involved in the war simulation center.

Experts speculate that North Korea has taken the past three months to improve and address the technical flaws from its previous failed launch. However, it remains uncertain whether they will be successful this time. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has made the development of a military spy satellite a top priority.

In conclusion, North Korea’s planned satellite launch has drawn criticism from Japan, South Korea, and the United States. The launch is regarded as a violation of UN sanctions and will further escalate tensions in the region amid ongoing joint military drills between Seoul and Washington.

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