Japan "North Korea Notifies Satellite Launch Between 24th and 31st"

North Korea has notified plans to launch a satellite between 0:00 on the 24th and 0:00 on the 31st.

The scene of North Korea's 'failed' satellite launch last May

According to reports from Kyodo News and NHK on the 22nd, the Japan Coast Guard received notification from North Korean authorities that they plan to establish three maritime danger zones due to the satellite launch early that day.

The maritime danger zones are two locations in the Yellow Sea southwest of North Korea and one location in the Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines, all reportedly outside Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

In response, the Coast Guard issued navigation warnings and urged vessels to exercise caution.

Kyodo News stated that this notification from North Korea appears to be for a re-launch of the military reconnaissance satellite that failed in May.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was briefed on North Korea's notification and reportedly instructed thorough intelligence gathering and cooperation with South Korea and the United States to urge North Korea to halt the launch.