North Korea to launch a satellite soon, neighbors on high alert

North Korea has announced that it will launch a spy satellite between May 31 and June 11. The announcement has sparked outcry from its neighbors who believe that the satellite launch is a disguise to boost their surveillance capabilities and better position itself for precision strike in case of armed conflicts. Pyongyang informed Tokyo of the satellite launch plans and has strongly been warned by Tokyo to refrain from any satellite launch.

Similarly, South Korea has also advised the North to stop the launch and violation of United Nations resolutions to guarantee the safety of people. Several United Nation resolutions prohibits North Korea’s nuclear and satellites programmes. Any satellite launch will be considered a serious threat which neighbors have threatened to defend themselves against such violation.

It is believed that the rocket if launched could fly over the Islands of Okinawa Prefecture or other areas of Japan, and is believed to constitute a serious threat to Japan. As a result, Japan’s Defense Ministry has issued an order to destroy any North Korea’s missile or rockets that threaten Japan.

Japan’s Coast Guard which have been notified are preparing to counter the launch. Japan’s plan may involve the deployment of Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) missile defense batteries and Maritime Self-Defense Force Aegies Destroyers to strategic cities and waters. It is unclear if the threat to shoot down the missile will indeed be carried out by Japan as previous satellite launch attempt which passed through Okinawa Prefecture were not shut down despite repeated threat by Japan to do so.

In February 2016, North Korea’s attempt to put a satellite into the orbit was unsuccessful. The North has repeatedly aimed to improve its military capabilities with rigorous nuclear and even ballistic missiles programmes even though we are not sure if the launch will take place or not after the global outcry against such launch. These moves are seen as destabilizing to the region.