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North Korea has notified the Japanese government of its plans to launch a satellite between August 24 and August 31, according to reports from Japanese media. The Japanese Coast Guard has been informed of three potential maritime danger zones related to the launch. This suggests that North Korea intends to follow a similar flight path as its failed satellite launch attempt in May. The previous launch ended in failure due to issues with the ignition of the second stage of the rocket.

The planned satellite launch comes at a time when South Korea and the U.S. are conducting joint military drills, which have provoked strong reactions from Pyongyang. North Korea has long been critical of these joint exercises and perceives them as a threat to its sovereignty. The country’s state media has labeled the drills as a prelude to invasion and has threatened to punish the “hostile forces” involved.

The recent meeting between the U.S., Japan, and South Korea also drew criticism from North Korea. The leaders were accused of planning nuclear war provocations on the Korean Peninsula. However, the meeting also resulted in measures to enhance information sharing on missile launches and joint military training among the three countries.

Although North Korea is prohibited by UN Security Council resolutions from conducting ballistic missile tests, it argues that it has the right to a civilian space program for satellite launches. The U.S. and its allies remain concerned about the potential for North Korea to use technology derived from its space program for the advancement of its ballistic missile arsenal.

Leader Kim Jong Un has expressed a desire to launch a spy satellite to monitor U.S. forces in the region. While South Korea believes such a satellite would have limited military value, it could still assist North Korea in refining its targeting capabilities for its new missiles designed to carry nuclear warheads.

Despite the focus on its space program, North Korea’s advancements in intercontinental ballistic missile technology have overshadowed its satellite efforts. The country’s ability to build missiles capable of reaching the U.S. has raised global concerns.

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