This is the possibility raised by the Japanese Ministry of Defense after Pyongyang notified that a reconnaissance satellite would be put into orbit between May 31 and June 11. Tokyo believes that the launch of the rocket could endanger its territorial integrity. South Korea, for its part, sent a warning to its North Korean neighbor, promising consequences in the event of the spy satellite being put into orbit.
From our correspondent in Seoul, Nicholas Rocca
Faced with the imminence of the first North Korean reconnaissance satellite launch, Japan is on alert. The Ministry of Defense announced on Monday, May 29 that it would shoot down a missile or debris, if they prepare to land on Japanese territory.
According to local media, North Korea has notified the International Maritime Organization of its intention to launch a satellite between May 31 and June 11. It would be the spy satellite presented by Kim Jong-un two weeks ago.
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It would theoretically allow the regime to obtain real-time images to guide its missiles in the event of a conflict. Launching the rocket carrying the satellite would be a violation of Security Council resolutions, as it uses the same technologies as a long-range missile launch. But preparations still seem to be accelerating at North Korea’s main space base.
Tokyo expects the rocket to fly over an island chain in the south of the country, similar to when two North Korean satellites were put into orbit in 2016. For its part, Seoul has promised that Pyongyang will “ pay the price and suffer if he would proceed with his “illegal” intentions. It’s hard to imagine North Korea backing down behind pressure from the United States and its two allies, while South Korean American armies are simultaneously conducting military exercises on an unprecedented scale.
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