North Korea informs Japan of imminent spy satellite launch

According to reports from Japanese media, North Korea may be preparing to launch a third spy satellite as early as midnight on Wednesday. The launch window, which was notified to Tokyo by Pyongyang, is set to close at 23:59 local time on 30 November. Japan, in collaboration with South Korea, plans to strongly urge North Korea not to proceed with the launch, as it would be a violation of UN resolutions. Pyongyang has previously made two unsuccessful attempts this year to deploy a spy satellite. The Japan Coast Guard has designated three maritime zones where debris from the rocket carrying the satellite is expected to fall. South Korea has warned that it will take necessary measures if the launch proceeds. While North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sees a spy satellite as valuable for monitoring potential attacks and improving accuracy of their own strikes, the UN Security Council has banned Pyongyang from launching satellites, viewing them as an attempt to advance their missile technology. South Korea has retrieved debris from a previous launch, stating that the satellite held no military purpose. Although Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested in September that Moscow could assist Pyongyang in satellite development, it remains unclear what was specifically promised. In related news, South Korea plans to launch its own spy satellite by the end of November, with a goal of deploying five spy satellites by 2025.