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North Korea has informed Japan that it intends to launch a satellite between Thursday and August 31. The country’s aim is to put a spy satellite into orbit after a failed attempt in May. The North has designated three maritime danger zones for the launch, two to the west of the Korean Peninsula and one to the east of the Philippines’ island of Luzon.

This planned launch is believed to be a retry of the military reconnaissance satellite launch that North Korea attempted in May, which ended in failure. On May 31, the North launched its first military spy satellite, the Malligyong-1, using a new rocket called the Chollima-1. However, the rocket crashed into the Yellow Sea due to an abnormal starting of the second-stage engine.

In addition to notifying Japan, North Korea has also informed the International Maritime Organization (IMO) of its satellite launch plan. South Korea’s Unification Ministry official confirmed this information. South Korea’s intelligence agency has previously stated that Pyongyang could launch a reconnaissance satellite in late August or early September, just before the regime’s 75th anniversary on September 9.

It’s worth noting that the launch window coincides with the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise between South Korea and the US, which began on Monday. North Korea has often condemned these joint military drills as preparations for invasion.

Developing a military spy satellite is part of North Korea’s ongoing efforts to enhance its high-tech weaponry. The regime has also expressed plans to develop solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles and a nuclear-powered submarine.

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