North Korea Plans Third Spy Satellite Launch Amid International Concerns
Reports from Japanese media indicate that North Korea is contemplating a third spy satellite launch, potentially scheduled for midnight on Wednesday. Tokyo has received notification from Pyongyang regarding a nine-day launch window, concluding at 23:59 local time on November 30. Japan, in collaboration with South Korea, intends to strongly discourage North Korea from proceeding with the launch, asserting that it would violate UN resolutions.
North Korea has faced setbacks in its attempts to deploy a spy satellite this year, with two previous efforts proving unsuccessful. The Japan Coast Guard has disclosed that the notification from Pyongyang designates three maritime zones where debris from the satellite-carrying rocket is expected to fall. While Japan and South Korea aim to dissuade North Korea from the launch, Kang Ho-pil, Chief Director of Operations at the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned of “necessary measures” if the launch proceeds.
A spy satellite is strategically significant for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, enabling enhanced monitoring capabilities for potential threats and accurate planning of military actions. However, the United Nations Security Council prohibits North Korea from launching satellites, viewing such activities as an attempt to test the nation’s missile technology.
The South Korean retrieval of debris from North Korea’s previous launch in May led to the conclusion that the satellite had “no military utility.” Subsequent attempts, including one in August, faced failure. Despite earlier indications of an October attempt, North Korea did not carry out the launch.
Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested potential assistance to Pyongyang in building satellites after a meeting with Kim Jong Un in September, though the specifics remain unclear. Meanwhile, South Korea has announced plans to launch its own spy satellite by the end of November, with a rocket from US company SpaceX facilitating the deployment. This initiative marks the first of five spy satellites South Korea intends to launch into space by 2025.
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