Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan urged North Korea to stop its plans to launch a satellite, following a warning received by Japan about possible rocket debris falling at sea. Kishida emphasized that such a launch would violate UN Security Council resolutions, and Japan would collaborate with the US and South Korea to address the issue.
The notice received by Japan’s Coast Guard did not identify the country, but it specified three areas where debris from a rocket might fall. Two of these areas were located west of the Korean Peninsula, while the other was east of the Philippine island of Luzon. Interestingly, these areas align with the paths of two rockets that North Korea previously launched in their unsuccessful attempts to place a spy satellite into orbit. South Korea has also warned Pyongyang to stop the impending launch.
Despite previous warnings, North Korea insists that it has the right to pursue a civilian space program under international law. Leader Kim Jong Un has even sought assistance from Russia for this initiative. While South Korean officials believe that North Korea’s spy satellite capabilities may be limited, they are wary of the potential impact on target lists as Pyongyang develops new missiles capable of carrying out nuclear strikes in the region.
In contrast, South Korea plans to launch its first domestically produced spy satellite on November 30, with Defense Minister Shin Won-sik announcing the use of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base.
North Korea’s recent attempts to place a reconnaissance satellite into orbit were met with failure, with technical issues causing the rockets to falter. Despite these setbacks, North Korea remains determined in its pursuit of space technology.
Overall, the situation between Japan, the US, South Korea, and North Korea remains tense and may have significant implications for the region. This complex geopolitical landscape underscores the significance of ongoing diplomatic and strategic efforts to manage potential security risks.
