North Korea launches suspected spy satellite, South Korea says
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TOKYO - North Korea conducted a rocket launch believed to be carrying a satellite on Nov 21, South Korea and Japan said, in what would be Pyongyang’s third attempt to place a spy satellite in orbit this year.
The Japanese government issued an emergency warning for residents in the south to take cover from the possible threat of a North Korean missile.
Japan said over its J-Alert broadcasting system that North Korea appeared to have fired a missile, sending out the warning to residents in the southern prefecture of Okinawa.
South Korea’s military said the rocket was believed to be carrying a spy satellite and was launched towards the south.
North Korea had notified Japan it planned to launch a satellite between Nov 22 and Dec 1.
Japan’s Coast Guard on Nov 21 said the North gave notice of the launch in the direction of the Yellow Sea and East China Sea. South Korea’s state maritime safety agency issued a warning to vessels of the planned launch for the same areas as previous launches.
North Korea had attempted to launch what it called spy satellites twice earlier in 2023
The North’s state media KCNA reported on Nov 21 that it was North Korea’s “sovereign right” to strengthen its military power against the US-led space surveillance system and defended its military satellite development, citing a researcher at the nuclear-armed state’s space agency.
The notice prompted immediate condemnation from Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who said his country’s defence systems, including the Aegis destroyers and PAC-3 air defence missiles, stood ready for any “unexpected situation” that arose.
“Even if the purpose is to launch a satellite, using ballistic missile technology is a violation of a series of United Nations Security Council resolutions,” Mr Kishida told reporters.
“It is also a matter that greatly affects national security.”
The launch is the first since North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a rare trip abroad in September
North Korea’s notice also follows its denouncement on Nov 20 of the potential American sale of hundreds of missiles to Japan and South Korea,
North Korea launched a satellite on May 31 that ended up plunging into the sea.
After the May launch attempt, South Korea retrieved the wreckage of the satellite from the sea and said an analysis showed it had no meaningful use as a reconnaissance platform.
Also on Nov 21, the US aircraft carrier Carl Vinson entered the South Korean port of Busan on a previously scheduled visit as part of an increased readiness by the allies against North Korea’s missile and nuclear threats, South Korea’s navy said.
South Korea separately plans to launch its first reconnaissance satellite from California on Nov 30 with the aid of the US. REUTERS
