- Japanese Prime Minister’s Office issued missile alert for Okinawa
- North Korea launched its first military reconnaissance satellite into orbit in November
Japan issued an alert asking its residents to take cover after North Korea launched a rocket reportedly carrying its second military spy satellite on Monday night.
The rocket launch came just hours after the country’s announcement of a plan to put a satellite into orbit drew sharp rebukes from its neighbors.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected a launch trajectory believed to be that of a spy satellite fired from North Korea’s main space center at 10:44 p.m. Monday.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that a North Korean rocket was launched in a southerly direction off the western coast of the Korean Peninsula.
Four minutes after launch, many fragments were detected in the water. He said South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities were analyzing whether the launch was successful.
An image taken from Japanese state media shows the explosion in the sky after the country issued a J alert for a projectile launch from North Korea.
Earlier Monday, North Korea had notified Japan’s coast guard of its plans to launch “a satellite rocket” during a Monday-June 3 launch window.
The Japanese Prime Minister’s Office lifted a missile alert issued for the island of Okinawa following North Korea’s launch, saying the missile was not believed to be headed for its region.
North Korea launched its first military reconnaissance satellite into orbit in November last year as part of its efforts to build a space surveillance network to counter what it calls growing U.S.-led military threats.
Kim Jong-Un later told a ruling party meeting that the country would launch three additional military spy satellites in 2024.
The November launch came after two failed takeoffs.
A television screen shows a file image of North Korea’s rocket launch during a news program at a bus terminal in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, May 27, 2024.
In the photo: Kim Jong-Un. North Korea launched its first military reconnaissance satellite into orbit in November last year as part of its efforts to build a space surveillance network to counter what it calls growing U.S.-led military threats.
On the first attempt, the North Korean rocket carrying the satellite crashed into the ocean shortly after takeoff. North Korean officials said the rocket lost thrust after its first and second stages separated.
After the second attempt, North Korea said there was an error in the emergency explosion system during the flight of the third stage.
The UN prohibits North Korea from launching satellites, considering them as cover for testing long-range missile technology. North Korea has steadfastly maintained that it has the right to launch satellites and test missiles.
Kim has said spy satellites will allow his military to better monitor U.S. and South Korean military activities and increase the threat posed by their 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.