North Korea formally notified Japan that it plans to launch a satellite between next Wednesday and December 1, the Japanese government said.
The launch would defy repeated calls from South Korea to Pyongyang to abandon preparations for what would be the third attempt to put a military satellite into orbit, after the failures of May and August.
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The Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishidatold the press that he had instructed his government “make every effort to collect information and provide it to the Japanese population, request cancellation of the launch” and “prepare for unpredictable situations”.
He also noted that the use of ballistic missile technology would be a violation of United Nations resolutions and that Japan was coordinating an eventual response with South Korea and USA.
He United Nations Security Council has passed numerous resolutions urging North Korea to abandon its nuclear program and ballistic missile development.
Analysts explain that the technology necessary to launch satellites overlaps in many aspects with that of ballistic missiles.
This month, South Korea’s intelligence agency indicated that Pyongyang is finalizing preparations to launch another satellite into orbit.
South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-siksaid on Sunday that this launch could occur this week.
“We strongly warn North Korea […] [que debe] Immediately suspend current preparations to launch a military spy satellite”he declared on Monday Kang Hopilhead of operations Joint Chiefs of Staff from South Korea.
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“If North Korea goes ahead with the launch of a military reconnaissance satellite despite our warning, our military will take necessary measures to ensure the lives and safety of the population.”he added.
According to SeoulPyongyang is providing weapons to Moscow in exchange for Russian space technology after a summit between the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-unand the Russian president, Vladimir Putinin September in the Far East of the Eurasian country.
Experts say having a satellite would improve North Korea’s ability to gather information, especially from South Korea, and provide crucial data in an eventual military conflict.