Pyongyang [North Korea], May 29: North Korea has informed Japan that it will launch a satellite between May 31 and June 11, what some countries see as a disguised long-range ballistic missile launch.
The Japan Coast Guard said on May 29 that it had been informed by North Korea of ??its plan to launch a satellite between May 31 and June 11, according to Kyodo News. North Korea says it plans to set up a navigational warning zone at sea during the said period.
In addition, NHK reported that North Korea also informed the International Maritime Organization (IMO) of its plan to launch a satellite .
In December 2022, North Korea's National Aerospace Development Administration announced that it would complete preparations for the launch of its first military spy satellite in April. The country recently said it had completed the stage. prepare to mount the satellite on the rocket
Leader Kim Jong-un also recently inspected an agency in charge of preparing for the launch and approved a future action plan.
The Japanese prime minister's office said it would cooperate with the United States, South Korea and related countries and called on North Korea to exercise restraint. Meanwhile, Japan will also collect and analyze information and prepare contingency plans. Last month, Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada ordered self-defense forces to be ready to shoot down a North Korean spy satellite if it flew into Japanese territory.
The launch was seen as a disguised long-range ballistic missile test . According to Yonhap, North Korea's satellite launch plan violates several United Nations Security Council resolutions banning the country's nuclear and missile programs, as ballistic missile technology is used to satellite launch.
In 2016, North Korea launched a long-range rocket, claiming to be an observation satellite, despite warnings from the international community.
In another development, North Korea decided to convene the 8th Plenary Meeting of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party in early June, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The meeting was held to evaluate the implementation of national economic plans in the first half of 2023 and discuss important policies.
In February, North Korea held a similar event to discuss agricultural issues. According to Yonhap, holding two plenary sessions in the first half of the year is rare because North Korea has previously only convened such meetings once or twice a year.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper