"Regarding the order on the introduction of measures to destroy ballistic missiles issues on May 29, 2023, we will temporarily extend it for the period after June 11, 2023," the Japanese Ministry of Defense said on June 11. It followed North Korea's announcement of another attempt to launch a military satellite.
Tokyo issued the original shootdown order late last month after Pyongyang warned the Japan Coast Guard of its intention to launch a military satellite into orbit. The Japan Self-Defense Forces went on to deploy U.S.-made Patriot missile defense systems in the Ryukyu islands. It also deployed Aegis naval destroyers armed with SM-3 interceptors to the East China Sea.
On May 31, Pyongyang confirmed that a rocket carrying its Malligyong-1 military satellite had crashed into the Yellow Sea located between China and North Korea. According to the hermit kingdom, the rocket's second-stage engine failed to ignite due to a "malfunction." (Related: Things go south fast: North Korea's first-ever spy satellite crashes into sea shortly after launch.)
Kim Yo-jong, who leads the publicity and information department of the ruling Worker's Party of Korea, said she was "certain that [North Korea's] military reconnaissance satellite will be correctly put in space orbit in the near future and start its mission." Yo-jong is the younger sister of incumbent North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-un.
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A resolution issued by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) bans North Korea – formally the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) – from using ballistic missile technology for any purposes, including satellite launches.
During a UNSC meeting in early June, the U.S. exhorted other members to join it in condemning Pyongyang's "unlawful behavior." It also called on the council to ensure that the DPRK does not make further attempts to launch a satellite into orbit.
However, Russia and China have refused to reprimand Pyongyang. The two nations and permanent members of the UNSC argued that there are legitimate security concerns behind the DPRK's actions.
Seoul also wary of possible second launch by Pyongyang
Japan is not the only one on alert over North Korea's activity. South Korea is also wary of a possible second launch by its northern neighbor. Pyongyang had set a period between May 31 and June 11 as the window for a rocket launch, which did not materialize.
Despite this, Seoul is not letting its guard down. A senior presidential official told the Yonhap news agency: "Though the notice period is over, North Korea can launch a long-range ballistic missile at any time without prior notice."
The same official added: "South Korea and the U.S. are continuing surveillance activity. We will go ahead with the sharing of missile warning information between South Korea, the U.S. and Japan as planned."
Another South Korean official also remarked that even though the DPRK's launch window has passed, nothing has changed with regard to Seoul's readiness. "We will make sure to keep our readiness posture," the official told Yonhap.
The South Korean news agency also reported that following the failed launch, the Republic of Korea Armed Forces reportedly located and salvaged some of the debris from the North Korean rocket. South Korean forces released images that showed what appeared to be a large, barrel-like liquid fuel tank.
The DPRK claimed it has the right to launch a space vehicle to put a satellite into orbit. But many in the international community begged to differ, however. They argued that Pyongyang's attempt to launch a satellite disguises test of its intercontinental ballistic missile technology.
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Watch this video about North Korea testing its hypersonic missiles from China.
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