With news that North Korea is "clearing the way" to launch a satellite, South Korea immediately held an emergency meeting, urging Pyongyang to exercise restraint.

Following Japan, South Korea also made the first move after receiving information that North Korea announced plans to launch a satellite between May 31 and June 11.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visits the National Aerospace Development Administration in 2022.

Specifically, Yonhap reported that on May 29, the National Security Council (NSC) of South Korea convened an emergency meeting, chaired by National Security Advisor Cho Tae-yong.

According to South Korean officials, NSC members discussed countermeasures against North Korea's new move and submitted relevant information to President Yoon Suk Yeol.

South Korea's National Security Office said it is "closely monitoring related developments."

Meanwhile, the South Korean Foreign Ministry urged North Korea to withdraw its launch plan and pledged to cooperate with the international community to respond to Pyongyang's actions.

Hours earlier, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported that Tokyo had received a notice from Pyongyang about plans to launch its first military reconnaissance satellite. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno confirmed the information.

Accordingly, North Korea stated that it would identify three dangerous areas at sea where objects could fall during the launch, including two areas in the west of the Korean Peninsula and one area in the east of the Philippines. All of these areas are outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.

Immediately after receiving the information, the Japanese Ministry of Defense directed preparations to destroy any North Korean missiles, using SM-3 or Patriot PAC-3 missiles.

Tokyo also expressed concern about Pyongyang's move. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stressed that Japan considered North Korea's launch of a satellite-carrying rocket to be a ballistic missile test, based on what had happened before.

Mr. Kishida has instructed relevant Japanese ministries and agencies to coordinate with the US and South Korea to urge Pyongyang to "exercise restraint".

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/co-tin-trieu-tien-don-duong-phong-ve-tinh-han-quoc-lap-tuc-hop-khan-hoi-binh-nhuong-kiem-che-228920.html