North Korea has informed Japan that it plans to launch a satellite between August 24-31, marking its second attempt this year. The announcement has drawn criticism from Japan and South Korea, with both countries describing the planned launch as “extremely regrettable.” North Korea has reportedly informed Japan’s Coast Guard that the satellite will fly over the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and the Pacific, which are areas outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
The timing of this announcement is significant, as it comes just days after the leaders of the United States, Japan, and South Korea held their first standalone summit to demonstrate unity against China’s growing power and North Korea’s nuclear threats. The previous satellite launch by North Korea on May 31 was unsuccessful, as the Chollima-1 launcher experienced engine and fuel system instability, leading to its plunge into the sea.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has called on North Korea to halt any planned launches and has stated that Japan is preparing its PAC-3 missile defense system while gathering information. He described the launch as “extremely regrettable.” South Korea’s Unification Ministry, responsible for inter-Korean affairs, has also urged North Korea to abandon its plans, labeling it a “clear illegal act” that violates U.N. sanctions prohibiting the use of ballistic missile technology.
The May satellite launch was North Korea’s sixth attempt and the first since 2016. It aimed to put a spy satellite into orbit to monitor U.S. military activities. Although the launch triggered emergency alerts and brief evacuation warnings in parts of South Korea and Japan, no danger or damage was reported. South Korea’s military confirmed that the retrieved wreckage of the satellite had no significant military use.
Lawmakers in South Korea, briefed by Seoul’s intelligence agency, have warned of another spy satellite launch by North Korea in the coming weeks, potentially to coincide with the country’s founding anniversary on September 9. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly prioritized technical improvements to the satellite for the second half of the year, with signs of engine tests observed since July, according to the intelligence agency.
Experts suggest that the upcoming launch serves several purposes for North Korea. Internally, it may be intended to commemorate the anniversary, while externally, it could be aimed at showcasing military capabilities in response to the trilateral summit and ongoing military drills between South Korea and the United States.
The situation remains tense, as Japan and South Korea express their concerns over North Korea’s satellite launch plans. The international community will closely monitor the developments and assess the implications of North Korea’s actions in the region.
By Elaine Lies in Tokyo and Hyonhee Shin in Seoul; Editing by Deepa Babington, Stephen Coates, and Gerry Doyle
Original Story at www.reuters.com – 2023-08-22 06:42:00
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