North Korea has reportedly launched a military spy satellite, as confirmed by South Korea’s military. The launch took place just before the designated launch window set by Pyongyang. Japan’s government also announced that North Korea fired what seemed to be a ballistic missile and urged residents in Okinawa prefecture to seek immediate shelter.

Approximately 30 minutes later, Japan lifted the evacuation order, stating that the missile appeared to have passed over the country and fallen into the Pacific Ocean around 10:55 p.m. local time. However, no additional details about the launch were immediately available.

Earlier on Tuesday, North Korea notified Japan of its intention to launch a satellite towards the Yellow Sea and East China Sea within a nine-day window starting Wednesday. This would mark North Korea’s third attempted launch of a reconnaissance satellite this year, following failed attempts in May and August.

In the previous year, North Korea declared plans to launch numerous spy satellites into orbit with the aim of providing real-time information on what it called the “aggression troops” of the United States and its regional allies.

North Korea’s ongoing missile tests and satellite launches have raised concerns among its neighboring countries and the international community. These activities are seen as provocative and have often heightened tensions within the region.