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 on May 27, 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 May 27, 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, Kyodo News reports.

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 May 26, 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.

Meanwhile, North Korea announced plans to launch a rocket apparently carrying its second military spy satellite by early next week, drawing quick, strong rebukes from neighbors South Korea and Japan.

The notification of the planned launch, banned under UN resolutions, came as South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Seoul for their first trilateral meeting in more than four years, AP reports.

Japan’s coast guard said it was notified by North Korea about its planned launch of a “satellite rocket,” with safety cautioned in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and China and east of the Philippine island of Luzon beginning Monday and running through midnight June 3.

North Korea gives Japan its launch information because Japan’s coast guard coordinates and distributes maritime safety information in East Asia.

North Korea’s planned launch likely would be an attempt to put its second military spy satellite into orbit. South Korea’s military said it detected signs of suspected preparations to launch a spy satellite at North Korea’s main Tongchangri launch facility in the northwest.

The UN bans North Korea from conducting any satellite launches, viewing them as covers for testing its long-range missile technology. North Korea has steadfastly maintained it has the right to launch satellites and test missiles. It says spy satellites would allow it to better monitor the US and South Korea’s moves and enhance the precision-strike capability of its nuclear-capable missiles.

“Any launch (by North Korea) using ballistic missile technology would directly violate UN Security Council resolutions and undermine peace and security of the region and world,” Yoon said at the start of the meeting with Kishida and Li. “If North Korea presses ahead with its launch despite the international warning, I think the international community must sternly deal with it.”’