North Korea announces plans for second spy satellite launch
What's the story
North Korea has communicated to Japan its plans to launch a second spy satellite by June 4, as per reports from Japanese media quoting the coastguard.
This follows South Korea's announcement that Pyongyang is gearing up to deploy another military surveillance satellite into orbit.
The eight-day launch window began at midnight on Sunday, according to the Japanese coastguard.
Sites
Potential danger zones identified for satellite launch
The North Korean notice pinpointed three maritime danger zones around the Korean peninsula, and the Philippine island of Luzon.
These are areas where debris from the satellite-carrying rocket might fall, as reported by Kyodo news agency.
The United States, Japan, and South Korea have collectively urged Kim Jong-un's regime to halt this plan, citing potential violations of United Nations resolutions.
Previous launch
North Korea's first spy satellite drew global condemnation
North Korea, a nuclear-armed nation, launched its first reconnaissance satellite in November last year.
This move was met with international criticism, with the US labeling it a "brazen violation" of UN sanctions.
Experts suggest that such spy satellites might boost Pyongyang's intelligence-gathering capabilities, particularly over its opponent South Korea, and provide crucial data in any military conflict.
Monitoring activity
South Korea and US monitor suspected satellite preparations
On Friday, Seoul announced that South Korean as well as US intelligence authorities, were "closely monitoring and tracking" presumed preparations for the takeoff of another military reconnaissance satellite.
The suspected activities were seen in North Korea's Tongchang-ri county, home to the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground.
This site was also where North Korea held three satellite launches last year, with only the final one being successful.
Help
Seoul claims North Korea received Russian assistance
Seoul has claimed that North Korea received technical assistance from Russia for its successful satellite launch last year.
In exchange, Pyongyang allegedly sent Moscow weapons to be used in the war in Ukraine.
This revelation comes as leaders from Seoul, Beijing, and Tokyo are set to meet in South Korea today, for their first summit in nearly five years.
However, North Korea is not expected to be a topic of discussion at this meeting due to differing political stances.