North Korea reportedly launches missile into sea after announcing plans to put rocket into orbit with spy satellite

Seoul, South Korea — North Korea has announced plans to launch a rocket apparently carrying its second military spy satellite for an eight-day period starting Monday, drawing swift and strong rebukes from neighbors South Korea and Japan. be an attempt to put its second military spy satellite into orbit. The South Korean military said Friday it had detected North Korea on Monday launched a missile into the sea, Japan and South Korea said, hours after North Korea announced plans to launch a rocket apparently carrying its second missile into orbit. military reconnaissance satellite.

North Korea previously informed the Japanese coast guard of its intention to launch “a satellite rocket” during a launch window from Monday to June 3.

Japan’s prime minister’s office lifted the missile alert issued for the island of Okinawa following North Korea’s launch, saying the missile did not appear to be heading toward that region.

North Korea sends its first army reconnaissance satellite in orbit in November last year, as part of efforts to build a space-based surveillance network to deal with what it calls growing U.S.-led military threats. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later told a ruling party meeting that his country would launch three more military spy satellites in 2024.

The UN bans North Korea from any satellite launches, viewing them as a cover to test long-range missile technology. North Korea has always maintained that it has the right to launch satellites and test missiles. Kim said the spy satellites would allow his military to better monitor U.S. and South Korean military activities and increase the threat posed by its nuclear-capable missiles.

North Korea provides Japan with its launch information because the Japanese coast guard coordinates and distributes maritime security information in East Asia.

Since 2022, North Korea has engaged in a series of provocative missile tests to modernize and expand its weapons arsenal, prompting the United States, South Korea and Japan to strengthen their security partnership by answer. Experts say North Korea likely believes an expanded weapons arsenal would increase its influence in future diplomacy with the United States.