North Korea plans to deploy its first orbital military technology.
North Korea Plans to Launch Satellite, Japan Prepares for Possible Debris
North Korea has notified Japan of its plans to launch a satellite in the coming days, which may be an attempt to put Pyongyang’s first military reconnaissance satellite into orbit. Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada has ordered Japan’s Self Defense Force to shoot down the satellite or debris if any enters Japanese territory. The launch window is from May 31 to June 11, and it may affect waters in the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and east of the Philippines’ Luzon Island.
The launch would violate U.N. resolutions and was a “threat to the peace and safety of Japan, the region and the international community.”
Japan’s coast guard has issued a safety warning for ships in the area on those dates because of the possible risks from falling debris. South Korea has warned North Korea that it will face consequences if it goes ahead with its launch plan in violation of the U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban the North from conducting any launch using ballistic technology.
Japan on Standby for Falling Missile Debris
Japan was already on standby for falling missile debris from North Korean launches earlier this year and has deployed missile defense systems such as land-to-air PAC-3 and ship-to-air SM-3 interceptors in southwestern Japan and in the East China Sea. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said it was possible the satellite would enter or pass above Japan’s southwestern islands, including Okinawa, where the United States has major military bases and thousands of troops.
Experts say Kim Jong Un would want his country to launch a spy satellite before South Korea does. North Korea placed Earth observation satellites in orbit in 2012 and 2016. Pyongyang does not notify neighboring countries of its missile firings in advance, but has issued notices ahead of satellite launches in the past.
Is North Korea Planning to Place Military Assets in Space?
The North’s satellite launch plan comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Since the start of 2022, North Korea has test-launched more than 100 missiles, some of them nuclear-capable weapons that place the U.S. mainland, South Korea, and Japan within striking distance. North Korea argues its testing spree is meant to issue a warning over expanded military drills between the U.S. and South Korea, but observers say North Korea aims to modernize its weapons program, then win greater concessions from its rivals in future dealings.
North Korea Warns of Consequences as U.S. and South Korea Conduct Military Drills
Last week, the South Korean and U.S. militaries conducted large-scale, live-fire drills near the border with North Korea as the first of five rounds of exercises marking 70 years since the establishment of their alliance.
North Korea has warned that the U.S. and South Korea will face unspecified consequences for their “war scenario for aggression on” North Korea. The North’s official Korean Central News Agency has asked if they can cope with the consequences of their reckless and dangerous war gambles that are being staged under the eyes of the armed forces of North Korea.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said that he is ready to meet Kim Jong Un “any time without preconditions” and that he is making efforts to organize a summit as soon as possible. He was speaking at a conference dealing with the abductions of Japanese citizens to North Korea decades ago. The issue was only partially resolved and North Korea never provided a full account for those still believed held.
North Korea has urged Japan to show its sincerity about resuming talks, saying it’s necessary to “cool-headedly recall” why past talks had failed to improve ties.
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Why the Military Drills?
- The military drills were conducted near the border with North Korea as the first of five rounds of exercises marking 70 years since the establishment of the alliance between South Korea and the U.S.
- The drills were conducted to test the readiness of the two militaries and to send a message to North Korea.
What are the Consequences?
- North Korea has warned that the U.S. and South Korea will face unspecified consequences for their “war scenario for aggression on” North Korea.
- The North’s official Korean Central News Agency has asked if they can cope with the consequences of their reckless and dangerous war gambles that are being staged under the eyes of the armed forces of North Korea.
What is Japan Doing?
- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said that he is ready to meet Kim Jong Un “any time without preconditions” and that he is making efforts to organize a summit as soon as possible.
- He was speaking at a conference dealing with the abductions of Japanese citizens to North Korea decades ago.
- The issue was only partially resolved and North Korea never provided a full account for those still believed held.
- North Korea has urged Japan to show its sincerity about resuming talks, saying it’s necessary to “cool-headedly recall” why past talks had failed to improve ties.
North Korea’s Orbital Military Technology Deployment Plan
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
Hold on to your hats, folks! North Korea seems to be gearing up for its first-ever deployment of orbital military technology. According to the Associated Press, the country has been making moves to launch a satellite that could potentially double as a weapon.
What Does This Mean?
Well, it’s not entirely clear. But experts are concerned that the satellite could be used to jam communications or even launch a surprise electromagnetic pulse attack. And while North Korea has claimed that the satellite is for peaceful purposes, it’s hard to know for sure.
What’s Next?
For now, we’ll have to wait and see what happens. But one thing’s for sure: this is a development that the world will be watching closely.
- Will North Korea follow through with its plan?
- What will the international community do in response?
- And most importantly, what will be the consequences of this deployment?
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
The post North Korea Appears to Be Planning First Deployment of Its Orbital Military Technology appeared first on The Western Journal.
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