North Korea Notifies IMO of Reconnaissance Satellite Launch... "From 31st to Next Month 11th"

From 3 PM on May 30 to 3 PM on June 10, UTC

North Korea also notified the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on the 30th about its plan to launch a reconnaissance satellite. According to Korean time, the period is from 0:00 on the 31st of this month to 0:00 on the 11th of next month.

According to Yonhap News Agency, IMO officials stated that North Korea informed the Maritime Safety Division at the IMO headquarters in London, UK, via email on the morning of the same day about the satellite launch plan.

In the notification, North Korea reportedly stated, "Regarding the satellite launch, we have informed the Japan Coast Guard with the same content."

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un was reported by the Korean Central News Agency on the 17th to have provided on-site guidance for the Reconnaissance Satellite Launch Preparation Committee project. The agency stated, "Comrade Kim Jong Un gave on-site guidance to the Emergency Satellite Launch Preparation Committee project on the 16th," and "approved the committee's subsequent action plan." Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un's daughter, Kim Ju Ae, accompanied him on-site following her visit to the Space Development Bureau last month.
(Photo by Yonhap News)

The launch schedule is from 15:00 on May 30 to 15:00 on June 10, based on UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). This corresponds to 0:00 on the 31st of this month to 0:00 on the 11th of next month in Korean time.

The points where debris is expected to fall are divided into three locations, labeled first, second, and third, with coordinates provided for each.

It appears that North Korea conveyed to the IMO the same information it notified Japan about.

This is the first time since 2016 that North Korea has notified the IMO about a satellite launch.

IMO member states are not obligated to notify the IMO when launching satellites. However, under the Worldwide Navigational Warning Service (WWNWS), which operates according to IMO General Assembly resolutions, member states must inform the coordinating authority of their designated area. The coordinating authority for the area including both South Korea and North Korea (NAVAREA XI) is Japan. Member states are required to notify Japan of emergencies such as maritime firing exercises, ship sinkings, maritime drills, and the discovery of reefs.

There are speculations that North Korea’s notification to the IMO about the satellite launch plan aims to secure legitimacy and serve propaganda purposes.