Japan’s Defense Ministry vows to destroy any North Korean missile entering its territory, in response to Pyongyang’s planned satellite launch from May 31 to June 11.
The North Korean space development agency had previously declared its objective of finalizing preparations for a reconnaissance satellite by April 2023.
Japan Bolsters Defense Against Ballistic Missile Threat
According to a spokesperson from the Japanese Coast Guard, Pyongyang notified them of the planned satellite launch via email. The notification indicated that North Korea intends to launch the satellite in the direction of the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and east of Luzon, Philippines, outside of Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
On Monday, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno emphasized that any missile launch disguised as a satellite by North Korea poses a security threat to Japan.
Matsuno further stated that if North Korea proceeds with the missile launch, it would be a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and a significant provocation. To address this potential threat, Japan’s Defense Ministry and Self-Defense Forces have issued an order to prepare defensive measures against ballistic missiles.
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Deploying Defense Systems to Nansei Islands Waters
Additionally, the Defense Ministry has taken additional precautions such as deploying Patriot missile defense batteries and Aegis destroyers with ballistic missile defense capabilities to the waters surrounding Japan’s Nansei Islands, an archipelago extending from the southern tip of the main island of Kyushu to near Taiwan.
North Korean state media reported last month that Kim Jong-un had instructed officials to prepare for the launch of the country’s first military reconnaissance satellite.
In mid-April, a North Korean missile test caused concern on Japan’s northern main island of Hokkaido, leading to an emergency alert being issued.
However, the evacuation order was later lifted as reports emerged that it had been sent in error, with local officials confirming that the missile posed no threat to the island as it fell outside Japanese territory, into waters off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula.
North Korea subsequently claimed that the missile tested was a new solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), a development that analysts believe could enhance its ability to conduct long-range nuclear strikes more efficiently as it continues to advance its missile program.
