North Korea has informed Japan about its intention to launch a satellite between Thursday and August 31, aiming to deploy a spy satellite into orbit following a previous unsuccessful attempt in May, according to media reports. The North has designated three maritime danger zones for the launch, with two situated west of the Korean Peninsula and the third to the east of the Philippines’ island of Luzon.
This launch is seen as a retrial of the military reconnaissance satellite launch that ended in failure earlier. North Korea’s initial attempt in May saw the rocket crash into the Yellow Sea due to an abnormal engine start. The country has also notified the International Maritime Organization (IMO) of its satellite launch plan. South Korea’s intelligence agency has suggested that North Korea could launch a reconnaissance satellite in late August or early September, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the regime’s founding on September 9.
This launch window overlaps with the South Korea-US joint military exercise, prompting concerns in the region. North Korea has been vocal about its intent to develop high-tech weapons, including military spy satellites, solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles, and a nuclear-powered submarine.