Japan is implementing precautionary measures in response to North Korea’s announcement of a satellite launch between November 22 and December 1. Despite warnings from Tokyo and Seoul, North Korea intends to proceed with the launch, prompting the Japanese Prime Minister’s office to demand a halt in preparations. Japan is also coordinating with the United States, South Korea, and other nations in anticipation of unforeseen circumstances.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphasized that using ballistic missile technology for satellite launches violates United Nations Security Council resolutions and poses a significant national security concern. North Korea’s previous attempts to launch military spy satellites in May and August failed, and this will mark their third attempt to launch over Japanese territory. The timing of the launch coincides with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s visit to Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin.
Despite being prohibited from conducting ballistic missile launches by UN resolutions, North Korea has argued that these measures do not cover their civilian space program. However, Japan, South Korea, and the US believe that the launch is an attempt to advance North Korea’s missile program, citing the use of similar technology. To prepare for a potential shootdown, Japan has deployed PAC-3 ground-based missile-defense batteries to several islands and dispatched Maritime Self-Defense Force Aegis destroyers equipped with interceptors to waters around the country.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff have warned that North Korea may proceed with the launch within the week. Lt. Gen. Kang Ho-pil stated that if North Korea disregards their warning, South Korea’s military will take necessary measures to protect its people. The specific measures have not been disclosed, but the arrival of the nuclear-powered USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier at a South Korean naval base indicates Washington and Seoul’s determination to respond to North Korean nuclear and missile threats.
North Korea has described its satellite program as an indispensable defense measure against US and allied space militarization. This report has been generated from ANI news service.