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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. The first attempt, made in May, failed when the rocket carrying the satellite plunged into the sea after liftoff. The North Korean leadership vowed to analyze the mistakes and make another attempt.

Coast guard spokesperson Hiromune Kikuchi confirmed that North Korean authorities informed Japan’s coast guard about the planned launch between August 24 and the end of August 30. The notice did not specify the type of satellite, but it is believed to be similar to the one intended for the previous launch. The launch is expected to affect three maritime zones – off the Korean Peninsula’s west coast, in the East China Sea, and east of the Philippine island of Luzon.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has instructed officials to gather and analyze information about the launch while preparing for any emergencies. He has also called for cooperation with the United States, South Korea, and other concerned countries to prevent North Korea from conducting the launch.

South Korea’s Unification Ministry has labeled the planned satellite launch as an “illegal provocation” that violates U.N. Security Council resolutions. The ministry stated that it will respond sternly in close coordination with the United States and Japan.

The launch plan coincides with the annual joint military drills between the United States and South Korea, which North Korea views as a rehearsal for invasion. It is expected that North Korea will respond with more missile tests as a reaction to the exercises.

The U.S., South Korea, and Japan recently met for their first stand-alone trilateral summit, where they agreed to increase defense cooperation to address North Korea’s nuclear and military threats. As part of the agreements, annual trilateral exercises will be held, and real-time missile warning data on North Korea will be shared by the end of the year.

North Korea’s state media warned that the ongoing drills are increasing the risk of a nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula. The country claims it is compelled to take “offensive, overwhelming” steps, without providing further details. Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, recently observed test launches of strategic cruise missiles and emphasized the need to modernize naval weapons systems.

Since the beginning of 2022, North Korea has conducted over 100 weapons tests, including nuclear-capable missiles. These tests are seen as a response to the expansion of U.S.-South Korea military training. South Korea’s spy agency has reported that North Korea is making preparations for test flights of intercontinental ballistic missiles, shorter-range nuclear-capable missiles, and another spy satellite launch.

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