North Korea informs Japan to launch satellite in coming days

North Korea informed neighboring Japan on Monday that it plans to launch a satellite in the coming days. This could be Pyongyang’s attempt to put into orbit its first military reconnaissance satellite. Japan’s Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada has ordered the Japan Self-Defense Force to shoot down any satellite that enters Japanese territory. According to the country’s coast guard, notices from North Korean waterways authorities said the launch could take place between May 31 and June 11. The deposition may affect the Yellow Sea, East China Sea and the sea area east of Luzon Island in the Philippines.

The Coast Guard of Japan has issued a safety alert for ships in the area on the above dates due to potential risks from falling debris. The country’s Coast Guard coordinates and forwards maritime security information in East Asia, which is why North Korea sent the notice to it. To launch the satellite into space, North Korea would have to use long-range missile technology, which is banned by United Nations Security Council resolutions. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the launch would violate UN resolutions and pose a “threat to the peace and security of Japan, the region and the international community”.

South Korea warned on Monday that North Korea would face consequences if it violated UN resolutions banning it from launching launches using ballistic technology. “Our government strongly warns North Korea against provocations that could threaten peace in the region and urges it to immediately withdraw its illegal launch plan,” South Korea said in a statement.

Earlier this month, North Korea’s state media reported that the country’s leader Kim Jong-un inspected a military spy satellite built at his country’s aerospace center and approved the satellite’s launch plan. The launch notice issued on Monday did not specify the type of satellite to be launched. In a telephone conversation later Monday, the chief nuclear envoys of South Korea, the US and Japan agreed to cooperate on a united, firm international response to the North Korean satellite launch.

After North Korea’s announcement, its main ally China called for a political solution through talks. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press conference on Monday, “There is a reason behind the situation on the Korean Peninsula today. We hope that all relevant parties will consider this issue in depth and strive for a political solution. With this, we will address each other’s legitimate concerns through meaningful dialogue in a balanced manner.

Disclaimer:IndiaTheNews has not edited this news. This news has been published from PTI-language feed.

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