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| Kim Jong Un pictured at Satellite Launch ground Image Credit: Google |
Pyongyang on
Monday has informed Tokyo that it plans to launch a satellite in coming days. This
seems to be an attempt to put North Korea’s first military spy-satellite into
orbit. The space has also become an entity where states are increasingly
showing power by sending satellites to establish their sphere of influence.
According to Japan’s
coast guard, the launch window range from 31st of March to 11th
of June, and that it might affect waters in the Yellow Sea, East China Sea and
east of the Philippines’ Luzon Island.
Tests of Missiles
and Weapons by North Korea:
North Korea has
also conducted a series of missile and arms tests in the past few months,
including a new, solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
In response,
Japanese PM’s office urged North Korea to refrain from the launch by saying
that it would work closely with allies.
“We strongly
urge North Korea to refrain from launching,” the statement issued by Prime Minister’s
office on Twitter, adding it would cooperate “with relevant countries, such
as the US and South Korea”.
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| Japanese Defense Minister Orders Shooting Down of Satellite or Debris if Violating Territory Image Credit: Google |
Using a Banned
Technology for the Launch:
North Korea
would have to use long-range missile technology to launch its satellite. This technology
is banned under United Nations’ Security Council resolutions. The past launches
have also been witnessed by Earth observation satellites as disguised missile
tests.
A threat to
Regional Peace:
The Chief
Cabinet Secretary in Japan, Hirokazu Matsuno commented that the launch would
violate UN resolutions and was a “threat to the peace and safety of Japan,
the region and the international community.”
Ordered to
shoot if Violate Japanese Territorial Integrity:
The Japanese Defence
Minister Yasukazu Hamada ordered Japan’s Self Defence Force to target the
satellite or debris and shoot it down, if any entered Japanese territory.
The Japanese
government also said it would utilize all its sources to collect and analyse
information from the launch.
According to
the Professor at Ewha Woman’s University in Seoul, Leif-Eric Easley, “Pyongyang
presumably notified Tokyo of the impending launch because the rocket may fly
over Japanese territory, and the Kim regime wants to claim it is conducting a
legitimate space program.” She told Al Jazeera in emailed comments.
“But the
notification does not appear to meet international standards, and any North
Korean satellite launch is illegal under UN Security Council resolutions that
ban North Korean ballistic missile tests.” She added.
(Courtesy:
Al-Jazeera)
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