North Korea plans to launch another spy satellite into orbit, despite warnings that the ballistic missile technology violates United Nations resolutions.
Pyongyang warned Japan of its plans to launch the satellite at some point between May 27 and June 4, the Japan Coast Guard said on Monday. If successful, this will be North Korea's second spy satellite to go into orbit - the first was sent up last November, after two failed attempts.
South Korea quickly condemned its neighbor's actions, saying the "so-called military reconnaissance satellite launch" was dangerous to the region.
"Our military will be taking measures that show our strong capabilities and will," South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesman Lee Sung-jun said at a news briefing.
North Korea told Japan to avoid three maritime zones near the Korean Peninsula and the island of Luzon during the launch period - warning that there could be falling rocket debris.
The international community has repeatedly warned North Korea not to launch ballistic missiles - though the country defiantly said it plans to launch at least three this year, arguing that is infringing on its sovereignty.
"While sovereign States have the right to benefit from peaceful space activities, Security Council resolutions expressly prohibit the DPRK from conducting any launches using ballistic missile technology," Khaled Khiari, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East and Asia and the Pacific, said last November.
The United States described North Korea's most recent launch as a "brazen violation" of UN sanctions. Officials in Seoul said they were "closely monitoring and tracking" what they believed were launch preparations, on Friday.
