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North Korea informs Japan it will launch satellite before June 4

North Korea has notified Japan of a plan to launch a satellite-carrying rocket before June 4, the Japanese government announced Monday, putting the region on high alert over the possible use of ballistic missile technology.

The notice, which came ahead of a trilateral summit between Japan, China and South Korea in Seoul on Monday, designated three maritime danger zones believed to be the areas where rocket debris may fall — two west of the Korean Peninsula and the other to the east of the Philippines’ island of Luzon, the Japan Coast Guard said.

In reaction to the notification, officials from Japan, the United States and South Korea confirmed during phone talks that they will urge North Korea to cancel the plan as any launch of a projectile using ballistic missile technology constitutes a violation of U.N. resolutions, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is currently in South Korea for the summit involving the East Asian leaders, told relevant ministries and agencies early Monday to make maximum efforts to gather and analyze information about the possible satellite launch.

On Sunday, Kishida and his South Korean counterpart President Yoon Suk Yeol agreed to work together in addressing Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile threats during bilateral talks in the South Korean capital.

An official of the South Korean military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said Friday the country had detected activity indicating North Korea was likely preparing to launch a reconnaissance satellite.

Signs of preparations for a military spy satellite launch were seen in the Tongchang-ri area in North Korea’s northwest, the official told reporters.

Pyongyang last launched a reconnaissance satellite in November and has since unveiled a plan to launch three more this year.

North Korea said the satellite was successfully placed into Earth’s orbit but South Korea said in February that it did not appear to be operational. Source: Kyodo

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