News

North Korea has notified Japan of its plans to launch a satellite between Thursday and August 31. The announcement has sparked condemnation from both Seoul and Tokyo, who view this as a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions. North Korea’s intended launch window coincides with the ongoing joint military exercise between South Korea and the US, called Ulchi Freedom Shield, which is scheduled to continue until the end of August.

The launch is the second attempt in three months, following the failure to put its first-ever homegrown spy satellite into orbit. The Japan Coast Guard has stated that North Korea has designated three projected drop zones for rocket stages and other residual components. These drop zones are located west of the Korean Peninsula, in the East China Sea, and east of the Philippines’ Luzon Island. These areas fall outside of Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

The projected drop zones mirror those previously stipulated by North Korea for the launch of a military reconnaissance satellite in May. This suggests that the trajectory of the forthcoming satellite launch will likely be similar to the previous one.

In May, North Korea launched a space launch vehicle called Chollima-1, carrying a military reconnaissance satellite named Malligyong-1. However, the launch vehicle carrying the satellite crashed into waters in the West Sea shortly after launch. Despite the failure, North Korea promptly announced its intention to conduct another launch “as soon as possible.”

Both Seoul and Tokyo have called on North Korea to retract its plans. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry expressed “deep regret” over the announcement, emphasizing that the satellite launch violates UN Security Council resolutions. The Foreign Ministry urged North Korea to cease these actions. Japan’s Prime Minister’s office also condemned North Korea’s violation of UN Security Council resolutions, stressing the need for a collaborative trilateral approach.

North Korea’s satellite launch aims to achieve both internal and external objectives. Politically, the launch serves as a commemoration of the Sept. 9 anniversary and fulfills a dying injunction by the late Chairman Kim Jong-il to establish dominance in the satellite sector. From a military perspective, the launch aims to undermine agreements established during the Camp David summit and engage in saber-rattling in response to the ongoing military exercise.

North Korea’s announcement of the satellite launch came shortly after the Camp David summit, where leaders from South Korea, the US, and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening security and military cooperation. In response, North Korea denounced the military exercises and warned of potential actions to protect its sovereignty and people’s right to existence.

Despite international condemnation, North Korea persists with its satellite launch plan.

The post North Korea Plans Satellite Launch Despite Condemnation appeared first on ISP Today.