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North Korea has informed Japan of its plans to launch a satellite in the coming days. This may be the country’s second attempt to put a military spy satellite into orbit, following the failure of its first effort three months ago. The initial launch, which took place in late May, resulted in the rocket and satellite plunging into the sea soon after liftoff.

Leader Kim Jong Un has been pushing to establish a space-based surveillance system that can better monitor the United States and South Korea. After studying the failure of the first launch, North Korea vowed to make a second attempt.

The specific details of the satellite’s type have not been provided in the notice given to Japan’s coast guard. However, it is believed that it may be similar to the spy satellite involved in the previous launch.

The launch plan mentioned three maritime zones that could be affected: off the Korean Peninsula’s west coast, in the East China Sea, and east of the Philippine island of Luzon. Japan has issued safety warnings for vessels passing through these areas.

In response to the notice, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida instructed officials to gather and analyze any information related to the launch and to prepare for any emergencies. He also called for cooperation with the United States, South Korea, and other concerned countries to demand that North Korea refrain from conducting the launch.

The planned launch coincides with the annual U.S.-South Korean military drills, which are seen by North Korea as a rehearsal for invasion. As a result, North Korea is expected to extend its series of missile tests in response to these exercises.

Since the start of 2022, North Korea has conducted over 100 weapons tests, including nuclear-capable missiles intended to strike the United States, South Korea, and Japan. North Korea argues that these tests are a response to the expansion of U.S.-South Korea military training, while Washington and Seoul maintain that their drills are defensive in nature.

South Korea has previously retrieved wreckage from North Korea’s failed satellite launch attempt and concluded that the satellite was not advanced enough to conduct reconnaissance from space, as North Korea had claimed.

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