North Korea’s Bold Space Move Ahead of Trilateral Summit Raises Eyebrows

Tensions in Northeast Asia are escalating as North Korea has informed the Japanese government of its plans to launch a satellite ahead of the trilateral summit between South Korea, China, and Japan on the 27th.

According to the Japanese Cabinet Office, North Korea has announced its plan to launch a rocket carrying a satellite between today and the 4th of next month, designating the West Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean near the Philippines as maritime danger zones.

As a result, the Japanese Maritime Security Agency has issued a navigation warning for the specified waters from midnight local time on the 27th until midnight on the 4th of next month, urging caution for potential falling debris.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has ordered thorough information gathering and analysis of North Korea’s satellite launch plans, strongly pushing for a halt to the launch in cooperation with South Korea and the United States.

He also commended establishing a full readiness posture in anticipation of unexpected situations.

North Korea’s satellite launch plan, which utilizes ballistic missile technology, is considered a violation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions.

In response, diplomatic officials from South Korea, the United States, and Japan have agreed to request North Korea to halt its launch plans through telephone consultations.

They clarified North Korea’s violation actions toward international law and agreed to strengthen security cooperation and response capabilities.

North Korea had previously designated similar maritime areas as danger zones and launched a military reconnaissance satellite in November last year.

While the satellite launched at that time reached orbit, it is believed to have failed to function properly.

It is known that North Korea has prepared for the launch of this second satellite with Russian technical support.

North Korea’s satellite launch announcement comes at a time when North Korean nuclear and missile threats are likely to be a major topic of discussion at the trilateral summit between South Korea, China, and Japan.

This can be seen as an intention to clarify the confrontation structure between South Korea, the United States, and Japan versus North Korea, China, and Russia.

It can also be assumed as the purpose of keeping China’s moves in check within the triangular cooperation system of North Korea, China, and Russia.