After launching its first spy satellite, North Korea is now preparing to launch the second one. As per reports, Pyongyang has announced plans to launch a new rocket which is likely to contain its second military spy satellite. However, as per Japan, this rocket launch can take place as soon as this week.
Before any launch, North Korea provides information to Japan's coast guard in order to distribute maritime safety information in East Asia. As per Japan, North Korea may launch its second spy satellite any day between May 27 to June 4.
As per the Japanese coast guard, North Korea notified its planned launch of a "satellite rocket" with safety cautioned in the waters of Korean Peninsula and China and east of the Philippine island of Lazon from Monday to midnight of June 3.
Not only has North Korea's planned launch raised alarms among its neighbours - South Korea and Japan - it also comes ahead of the first trilateral summit between Japan, South Korea and China in nearly five years.
As per Japan's Foreign Affairs Ministry, the United States, South Korea and Japan have warned and urged Pyongyang to call of the satellite launch. The three allies warned North Korea that it would be violating the resolutions put forth by the United Nations if it goes ahead with the launch.
Amid rising tensions with Seoul, South Korea’s Unification Ministry has also called the satellite launch by North Korea “a provocation that seriously threatens our and regional security".
North Korea was already condemned by the United Nations after the launch of its first military spy satellite in November 2023. This spy satellite, as per Kim Jong Un, was launched in view of increasing threats from the West, especially Washington.
Amid the backlash, state run KCNA shared that Kim Jong UN had received data from the spy satellite - specifically images of the Pentagon, White House and other strategic locations of importance.
The United Nations has also banned North Korea from conducting any satellite launches, however, that has never stopped Pyongyang.
North Korea has maintained time and again that it has a right to launch satellites and test missiles as it would allow it to access better the US and South Korea and their striking capabilities.
